This article gives an overview on the late-breaking clinical trials in the field of cardiovascular medicine which were presented during the hotline sessions at the American Heart Association Congress, held in Chicago, USA, from 13 to 17th November 2010. The data have been presented by leading experts in the field with relevant positions in the trials. The summaries provided in the manuscript were generated from the oral presentations and the webcasts of the American Heart Association (Laufs in Clin Res Cardiol 97:1-11, 2008; Möllmann in Clin Res Cardiol 98:1-7, 2009). The following papers are discussed in alphabetical order: ACT, ADVANCE, ASCEND-HF, ASCOT-CRP, CLOSURE I, DEFINE, EMPHASIS-HF, GRAVITAS, P-OM3, RAFT, ROCKET-AF, SMART-AV, SYMPLICITY HTN-2, TELE-HF, TIM-HF.