Article Types

Each article type has limits on the number of authors, word count, references, tables, and figures that can be included. Original Research articles and Case Reports must also follow specific content and organizational guidelines.

Please use the appropriate template for your article type:

Note: Published articles are fully Open Access under Creative Commons CC BY-NC or CC BY licenses, and authors retain copyright ownership. See Fees.

Original Research

Original Research articles generally start with a hypothesis and a clearly stated objective. They should be organized in IMRAD format (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion). The Original Research Template provides the appropriate format.

Clinical Investigation

Clinical investigations can be prospective or retrospective, and must include a control group. Observational studies will be considered.

Original Research Template
Authors: ≤12
Structured abstract: ≤300 words
Keywords: 3 to 10
Key points: 3 to 5
Text: ≤3,000 words
References: ≤50
Tables: ≤5
Figures: ≤5
Supplements allowed

Laboratory Investigation

Laboratory investigations should focus on laboratory or bench studies that translate to clinical care. The template has a place for policies regarding animal care, and other appropriate reporting guidelines.

Original Research Template
Authors: ≤12
Structured abstract: ≤300 words
Keywords: 3 to 10
Key points: 3 to 5
Text: ≤3,000 words
References: ≤50
Tables: ≤5
Figures: ≤5
Supplements allowed

Systematic Review

Systematic Reviews, with or without meta-analyses, may be considered for publication.

Original Research Template
Authors: ≤12
Structured abstract: ≤300 words
Keywords: 3 to 10
Key points: 3 to 5
Text: ≤3,000 words
References: ≤75
Tables: ≤5
Figures: ≤5
Supplements allowed

Case Series

Original Research Template
Authors: ≤8
Structured abstract: ≤250 words
Keywords: 3 to 10
Key points: 3 to 5
Text: ≤2,500 words
References: ≤30
Tables: ≤3
Figures: ≤3
Supplements allowed

Research Letter

Research letters report short original studies that do not merit extensive treatment, or they may add incremental evidence or data to existing knowledge. When applicable, the letter should be organized in IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) format; however, no headings should be included. If the paper is submitted in a different original research category, the editors and reviewers may request that it be rewritten as a research letter and resubmitted for de novo review.

General Template
Authors: ≤6
Text: ≤1,000 words
References: ≤15
1 Table OR 1 Figure
No supplements allowed

Education

Case Reports

Case reports focus on unique or rare characteristics of a known entity, new findings on a pathogenic mechanism, or a previously undescribed syndrome. Reports include the patient’s clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, and management, including medical treatment or interventional and surgical procedures. Emphasis should be placed on the educational aspects of the case. The article may include a maximum of 3 cases.

Case Report Template
Authors: ≤6
Unstructured abstract: ≤100 words
Keywords: 3 to 10
Key points: 3
Text: ≤1,500 words
References: ≤20
Tables: ≤2
Figures: ≤8
Supplements allowed

IMPORTANT: On submission, a nonrefundable $70.00 (USD) fee is payable through PayPal by credit card or a personal PayPal account. See Fees.

Narrative Review

Narrative Reviews generally cover topics of current interest to cardiovascular specialists, such as overviews of disease mechanisms and treatments, diagnostic strategies, and innovative technologies and techniques for treatment. Reviews may result from conditions observed in an illustrative case; in this instance, an in-depth analysis of the condition, including etiology, diagnosis, and treatment, could offer valuable clinical knowledge.

General Template
By invitation or inquiry only
Authors: ≤3
Unstructured abstract: ≤250 words
Keywords: 3 to 10
Key points: 3 to 5
Text: ≤2,000 words
References: ≤50
Tables: ≤5
Figures: ≤5

Images in Cardiovascular Medicine

Images in Cardiovascular Medicine articles present high-quality images that illustrate unusual or rare clinical entities, new or emerging imaging techniques, new areas of clinical focus, or a combination of these elements. The text should include only what is necessary to describe the images: it can be as short as 1 or 2 paragraphs. In general, the text should include a 1-paragraph description of the case and a section titled “Comments” that describes the disease or other entity shown and the method of imaging used.

General Template
Authors: ≤3
Text: ≤450 words
References: ≤6
Figures: ≤2
Note: A multipart figure (Figure 1A and 1B) counts as 2 images.
Supplemental motion images allowed (must include still images submitted as figures)

IMPORTANT: On submission, a nonrefundable $35.00 (USD) fee is payable through PayPal by credit card or a personal PayPal account. See Fees.

News and Opinion

Initiatives in Healthcare

Initiatives in Healthcare articles cover a broad range of current topics, including multidisciplinary approaches to improve patient treatment, ethical issues, and global healthcare concerns.

General Template
Authors: ≤6
Unstructured abstract: ≤100 words
Keywords: 3 to 10
Key points: 3
Text: ≤2,000 words
References: ≤50
Tables: ≤4
Figures: ≤4

Perspectives

Perspectives are essays that share personal experiences and knowledge gained—from senior-level physicians to fellows, medical students, and other individuals involved in patient care. Topics may include a physician–patient relationship, factors affecting clinical practice, insights on mentoring, and experiences during medical training.

General Template
Authors: ≤3
Text: ≤800 words

Editorial

Editorial Commentary

The editors solicit commentaries that provide expert evaluations on select Original Research articles.

General Template
By invitation only
Authors: ≤2
Text words: ≤1,000
References: ≤6
Table: ≤1
Figure: ≤1

Guest Editorial

The editors solicit guest editorials on a variety of topics, which may be related to content in The Journal or other medical, ethical, and health-related matters.

General Template
By invitation or inquiry only
Authors: 1
Text: ≤1,000 words
References: ≤6
Table: ≤1
Figure: ≤1

Correspondence

Letter to Editor

Letters provide an opportunity to express views about a specific Original Research article published in The Journal. Letters should be submitted within 8 weeks (2 months) of the article’s publication.