Happy birthday European Heart Journal: in 30 years, from Cinderella to centre stage
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European Heart Journal (2010) 31, 1945–1950 EDITORIAL
doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehq243
Happy birthday European Heart Journal:
in 30 years, from Cinderella to centre stage
Thomas F. Lüscher *, Josep Brugada, Bernard J. Gersh, Ulf Landmesser,
Patrick W. Serruys, Sabina Murphy, Susanne Dedecke, Sam Rogers, and
Frank Ruschitzka
Zurich Heart House, Editorial Office of the European Heart Journal, Careum Campus, Zurich, Switzerland
and his team (Figure 2). Since 2008, the Editorial Office of the Euro-
The start pean Heart Journal has been located in the Zurich Heart House
‘The European Society of Cardiology is a manifest success’—this is which is affiliated with the Department of Cardiology of the Uni-
what Desmond G. Julian, as the newly appointed Editor-in-Chief, versity Hospital.
wrote in his first Editorial in the very first issue of the European What were the questions and topics which concerned cardiolo-
Heart Journal that appeared in February 1980.1 He was referring gists all those years ago? The first issues of the European Heart
to the tremendous support given by its members to the then Journal published a number of papers on the role of calcium antag-
4-yearly (!) Congress of the Society and to the many meetings of onists in coronary artery disease,2 on the use of the intra-aortic
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the Working Groups—but obviously this was just the beginning balloon pump in acute myocardial infarction,3 on the effects of
of what we experience today. Shortly thereafter, thanks to vision- hydralazine in chronic heart failure,4 and on serial electrophysio-
ary leaders such as Paul Hugenholtz, Henry Denolin, and others, logcal drug testing in ventricular tachycardia.5 Many crucial issues
the European Society of Cardiology grew considerably in the fol- facing cardiology are similar today, but obviously the possibilities
lowing 30 years—despite the scepticism of many—into one of of diagnosis and management have changed dramatically, as has
the most influential and prestigious bodies in medicine. the outcome of cardiac patients with various clinical conditions.
Remarkably, mortality from myocardial infarction has declined in
the last five decades from .50% to ,5%.6
Growth and success
Today, the European Society of Cardiology holds a highly successful
annual congress with a growing number of participants, currently
The current team
.30 000, and its flagship, the European Heart Journal, has turned Following a 3-month transition period, the European Heart Journal
from a Cinderella of medical literature to centre stage. Over the has been managed from the Zurich Editorial Office since 2008
last three decades, the number of manuscript submissions initially by the first author of this editorial, with the invaluable support
grew slowly, then steadily, and recently markedly from 500 to of five Deputy Editors (i.e. Josep Brugada from Barcelona,
.3500 a year (Figure 1A). Accordingly, the acceptance rate fell Bernard Gersh from Rochester, Minnesota, USA, Ulf Landmesser
from .50% to currently 12%, allowing the selection of the best and Frank Ruschitzka from Zurich, and Patrick Serruys from
manuscripts for readers of the journal. As a consequence, the Rotterdam), 19 local and 19 international Associate Editors
impact factor of the European Heart Journal grew from 1.0 slowly, based in Europe, the USA, Canada, and Asia, as well as with the
but then considerably to its current 9.8 (Figure 1B). The European assistance of two Managing Editors (i.e. Susanne Dedecke and
Heart Journal now, together with Circulation and the Journal of the Sam Rogers). As promised in the inaugurational Editorial of the
American College of Cardiology, belongs to the top three of 95 journals incoming Editor-in-Chief, the European Heart Journal 7 has become
in the field of cardiovascular medicine—what a birthday present! a global journal run by an international community of editors,
reviewers, and submitting authors. While the European Heart
Journal still receives two-thirds of its manuscripts from Europe,
The editors 13% and 16%, respectively are from the Americas and Australasia.
This success was possible only with the help of dedicated editors Through the appointment of American, Asian, and Australian
and reviewers. After Desmond Julian, Herny E. Kulbertus took editors, we hope to receive an increasing number of manuscripts
over in 1989, followed by Kim Fox and then Frans van der Werf from these regions in the future.
The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the Editors of the European Heart Journal or of the European Society of Cardiology.
* Corresponding author. Tel: +41 44 634 55 38, Fax: +41 44 634 55 30, Email: cardiotfl@gmx.ch
Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. & The Author 2010. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org.
1946 Editorial
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Figure 1 Manuscript submissions (A) and impact factor (B) of the European Heart Journal over the last 30 years.
Figure 2 Editors-in-Chief of the European Heart Journal over the last 30 years. From left to right: Desmond G. Julian (1980– 1988), Henry
E. Kulbertus (1989 – 1994), Kim Fox (1995– 2002), Frans van de Werf (2003 –2008), and the current Editor-in-Chief, Thomas F. Lüscher,
Zurich (since 2008).
Thanks to a shorter review time of currently 14 days and a soph- reviewer profiling with the introduction of an expanded number
isticated reminder system, the turnaround time for manuscripts is of classifications.
24 days at present. The editors of the European Heart Journal are
most grateful to their reviewers who have allowed such an
improvement to take place. At the Editorial Board meeting in
New features
Barcelona during last year’s ESC Congress, the European Heart The new team has introduced a variety of changes and new fea-
Journal for the first time awarded its top 20 reviewers with an tures in both the editorial process and content of the European
Elite Reviewer Certificate.8 To ensure we have optimal reviewers Heart Journal (Table 1). First of all, more options for decisions on
for the manuscripts submitted, we have further refined the submitted manuscripts have been introduced. It has now been
Editorial 1947
Table 1 Features of the European Heart Journal
Feature Responsible Editor(s) Remarks Size
...............................................................................................................................................................................
Cardiopulse Andros Tofield Reports on cardiovascular medicine worldwide 6 –8 pages per issue
Editorials Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editors By invitation; for particularly interesting articles 1500 words
Review articles Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editors Commonly by invitation on key issues 5000 words
Current Opinion Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editors Statements by bodies of the ESC and other 2500 words
societies; discussion of hypotheses
Fast Track Clinical Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editors 5-day review 5000 words
Fast Track Basic Science Associate Editor Stephanie Dimmeler 5-day review 5000 words
Regular Research Articles All editors 2-week review, 12–15% acceptance rate 5000 words
Cardiovascular Flashlights 7-member team of Associate Editors 4 per issue 250 words
ESC Guidelines ESC Guidelines Committee 38 000 words
e-Letters Managing editors EHJ Electronic publishing only 500 words
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Figure 3 The ESC Journal family and associated journals such as EuroIntervention involved in the manuscript transfer system of the European
Heart Journal.
defined more clearly that manuscripts which are reconsidered as If the Editor-in-Chief of the subspecialty journal agrees to reconsi-
revisions are not necessarily accepted (a change from decision, der a revised manuscript based on the initial comments of the
‘Accept minor/major’ to ‘Revise minor/major’), but also the reviewers of the European Heart Journal, the decision is sent back
‘Submit de novo’ option has been used more widely. As in the to the authors. Using this system— effectively implemented by
past, 30 –40% of manuscripts are rejected without review. Oxford University Press—232 manuscripts have been transferred
However, some are recommended for submission to an ESC sub- to subspecialty journals within a 14-month period. Overall, 25%
specialty journal. Some of the best cited European Heart Journal of these manuscripts have eventually been accepted in one of the
papers will be presented in Special Features Sessions at the ESC subspecialty journals (Table 2). The manuscript transfer system is
Congress in Stockholm. useful both for authors and the ESC journals alike. Not only do
Most importantly, an efficient manuscript transfer system within authors whose manuscript would otherwise be rejected have
the ESC journal family and affiliated publications has been intro- another option with rapid resubmission based on the initial
duced (Figure 3). While many manuscripts submitted to the Euro- reviews, but the system also increases the manuscript flow to
pean Heart Journal are either too specialized or too technical for the subspecialty journals, allowing for the selection of better and
a broad readership, they are still valuable for specialists in different better papers for publication.
areas. To that end, the decision tree of editors was expanded to Further, the new European Heart Journal provides its readers
include options such as, ‘Transfer to EP-Europace’ or ‘Transfer to with improved illustrations which can be downloaded into Power
European Journal of Heart Failure’, etc. (Figure 4). The decision pro- Point format for appropriate use. Such figures are now an inte-
posed by one of the Deputy or Associate Editors has to be grated facet of editorials and review articles. In contrast to the
approved by the Editor-in-Chief and—once transferred—by the past, review articles are now mainly commissioned by invitation,
Editor-in-Chief of a given subspecialty or sister journal (Figure 5). with a preference for authors with extensive experience and an
1948 Editorial
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Figure 4 The manuscript transfer system of the ESC journal family.
Figure 5 Editors of the sister and subspecialty journals of the European Heart Journal.
Editorial 1949
Table 2 Manuscript transfer by the European Heart Journal to its sister journals
Journal Flagged for Transfer accepted Decision with subspecialty journal
transfer by EHJ ............................................................................. ...................................................
By the editor Pending with By the Pending with Accept Reject Pending
the editor author author
...............................................................................................................................................................................
CVR 6 2 1 2 0 0 2 0
EP 80 76 3 39 0 16 15 8
EJHF 127 70 3 57 1 33 7 17
EJE 72 43 0 20 1 10 9 1
EJCPR 111 78 6 52 3 Not available
EJCN 1 1 0 0 0 Not applicable
EuroInter 29 0 0 10 0 7 1 2
Total 426 270 0 180 0 66 1 2
CVR, Cardiovascular Research; EJCN, European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing; EJCPR, European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation; EJE, European Journal of
Echocardiography; EJHF, European Journal of Heart Failure; EP, EP-Europace; EuroInter, EuroIntervention.
excellent reputation in the field. Typically, two review articles survive the test of time and further advance medicine. To ensure
co-authored by a European and US or Asian scientist or clinician proper statistical analysis, every single paper considered for publi-
are published per issue. cation therefore undergoes additional reviewing by one of our
Finally, the ‘Fast Track’ feature has been expanded considerably expert statisticians, a team led by Deputy Editor Sabina Murphy.
since this option is now extended to the presenters at the Hotline Furthermore, we will publish educational review articles on statistical
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Sessions and Clinical Trial Update Sessions of the annual congress issues to foster proper statistical analysis in cardiology.
of the European Society of Cardiology. Published data should not only be sound and solid, but should
Last, but not least, we introduced ‘Cardiopulse’ managed by also provide incremental novelty as compared with what we
Dr Andros Tofield, which reports on professional issues in different already know. Indeed, the level of innovation of submitted
countries around the world, historical vignettes, presents personal- papers determines to a large extent their priority for publication.
ities, and discusses novel developments of cardiovascular medicine. To help our reviewers assess the novelty of submitted papers,
the editorial manager platform provides a unique feature, ‘Similar
articles in Medline’ which determines the degree of overlap with
Future plans published papers. This feature also allows detection of so-called
At the age of 30, there is time to think about the next steps. What ‘salami publishing’, whereby authors slice their database into ever
will make the European Heart Journal even more successful? First, smaller pieces to increase the number of published papers.
and above all, its authors submitting their best manuscripts, but Finally, conflict of interest issues on the part of authors
also, fair, competent, and efficient reviewers allowing for a and reviewers may endanger scientific quality and integrity. It is
further reduction in turnaround time and timely publication. We obvious that particularly clinical research requires substantial
are proud that we can publish an increasing number of clinical funding, which in many areas cannot be obtained without close
trials, either as regular or ‘Fast Track’ manuscripts. We will also collaboration with the pharmaceutical or device industry.
expand the ‘Fast Track’ option from clinical to basic science Additionally, we have to acknowledge that in recent decades, indus-
papers with clinical impact. We aim at a 5-day review period for try has—with the help of academic researchers and under the scru-
such clinical or basic manuscripts, allowing ultrarapid publication tiny of registration agencies—provided a substantial number of
of the data. To attract more basic science papers with clinical effective drugs, imaging tools, and therapeutic devices that we all
impact, Professor Stephanie Dimmeler was specifically appointed use daily to the benefit of our patients. Nevertheless, industry by
Associate Editor Basic Science this year. definition is profit oriented, while it is the mission of academia to
The internet platform has been improved, but needs further promote knowledge independent of financial interests. Pressure
refinement. Starting this year, we will provide interviews with the from industry therefore remains an issue and was indeed just
presenters and discussants of the Hotline and Clinical Trial Update recently discussed in the European Heart Journal.9 Conflict of inter-
sessions in Stockholm. There are also further plans to make the est, if present, should therefore be declared for each manuscript
platform more attractive and interactive. by all authors. Furthermore, as of now, the European Heart Journal
will ask all Editors and members of the Editorial Board to declare
their interests before assuming their position. Indeed, bias within
Scientific quality and integrity the reviewing process may arise from such conflicts. We thus
Editors assume that authors of submitted manuscripts report, analyse, expect our reviewers to decline requests, if such conflicts exist.
and discuss the data they obtained accurately and honestly—scientific However, while financial conflicts dominate this debate at a time
integrity is the basis of science. Only solid and reproducible data can when money is a dominant value, we should acknowledge that1950 Editorial
other conflicts may be just as important.10 Indeed, we all have our 2. Nayler WG. The pharmacological protection of the ischemic heart: the use of
calcium and betaadrenoceptor antagonists. Eur Heart J 1980;1 (Suppl B):5 –13.
favourite topic, our preferred concepts and tools. It might be just
3. Michels R, Haalebos M, Kint P-P, Hagemeijer F, Balakumaran K, van der Brand M,
as difficult for a CT enthusiast to provide a balanced review of a Serruys PW, Hugenholtz PG. Intra-aortic balloon pumping in myocardial infarc-
paper dealing with its competitor modality MRI as it is for a tion and unstable angina. Eur Heart J 1980;1:31 –43.
Miller Pharma consultant to assess the quality of a Smith Inc. 4. Mathey D, Hanrath P, Polster J, Witte G, Montz R, Bleifeld W. Acute and chronic
effects of oral hydralazine on left ventricular pump function and renal hemody-
study properly. Similarly, significant intellectual conflicts exist. namics in chronic heart failure. Eur Heart J 1980;1:25–29.
Indeed, history has shown numerous examples of colleagues 5. Breithardt G, Seipel L, Abendroth RR, Loogen F. Serial electrophysiological testing
who would not accept seminal discoveries of fellow scientists.11 of anti-arrhythmic drug efficacy in patients with recurrent ventricular tachcardia.
Eur Heart J 1980;1:11 –24.
6. Messerli FH, Messerli AW, Lüscher TF. Eisenhower’s billion dollar heart attack—
Looking forward 50 years later. N Engl J Med 2005;353:1205 –1207.
7. Lüscher TF, Gersh B, Brugada J, Landmesser U, Ruschitzka F, Serruys PW. The
At the age of 30, one is most productive, and thus the team of the European Heart Journal goes global: the road ahead of the editorial team
2009 –2011. Eur Heart J 2009;30:1–5.
European Heart Journal looks forward to working with its authors, 8. Cardiopulse. Eur Heart J 2009;30:2673 –2764.
editors, reviewers, and readers towards an even brighter future. 9. Lüscher TF, Landmesser U, Ruschitzka F. Standing firm—The European Heart
We are happy to receive comments and suggestions from the Journal, scientific controversies and the industry. Eur Heart J 2010;31:1157 – 1159.
10. Lüscher TF. Conflict of interest oder Interesse am Konflikt. In: Gedankenmedizin—
entire cardiovascular community to make our journal even better.
Heilkunst zwischen Philosophie, Wirtschaft und Wissenschaft—von den Anfängen bis ins
21. Jahrhundert. In: Heidelberg: Springer; 2010. p123 –136.
References 11. Lüscher TF. Kain und Abel. In: Gedankenmedizin—Heilkunst zwischen Philosophie,
1. Julian DG. Birth and growth of the European Society of Cardiology. Eur Heart J Wirtschaft und Wissenschaft—von den Anfängen bis ins 21. Jahrhundert. Heidelberg:
1980;1:5 –7. Springer; 2010. p149 – 162.
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