Letter from the incoming Editor‐in‐Chief of the European Journal of Heart Failure

Abstract

It is with the greatest respect that I have accepted the position as Editor-in-Chief of the European Journal of Heart Failure from January 1, 2005. I am still uncertain what it will require from me, but be sure that I will devote my utmost attention and commitment to the Journal. The support I have received from the Working Group on Heart Failure has been an important factor in my acceptance of this post. However, this work does not rest with me alone. A team of Associate Editors from Göteborg have agreed to support me with their expertise. Bert Andersson (cardiology), Claes-Håkan Bergh (cardiology), Inger Ekman (nursing), Anders Jeppsson (cardiac surgery), Sverker Jern (experimental research), Annika Rosengren (epidemiology), Finn Waagstein (cardiology), Birger Wandt (non-invasive cardiology) and Hans Wedel (statistics) have all committed themselves to the continued progress of the European Journal of Heart Failure. In addition, in order to build on previous experience, we have asked John Cleland to continue his involvement as a Senior Consulting Editor and also to be responsible for decisions on manuscripts submitted from our research groups. Importantly, the Editorial Office will remain in Hull with the excellent coordination by Gillie Porter. Alison Coletta will also remain as Scientific Editor. I hope that this will guarantee the continued high quality of the European Journal of Heart Failure. The Journal is now fully electronic with on-line submissions and review. Our publisher, Elsevier, has expressed a continued commitment to the European Journal of Heart Failure. The objectives of the new Editorial Team are as follows. Firstly to continue the publication of papers in all areas related to heart failure, we intend the European Journal of Heart Failure to continue to be the leading journal for heart failure and we aim to increase the Impact Factor >3. Secondly, we aim to emphasise trans-disciplinary research including health care sciences, this will reflect the new organisation within the Heart Failure Association. Thirdly, we hope to increase the journal's profile in the areas of surgical treatment and heart transplantation. In addition, we hope to attract more key reports of clinical trials. We will continue to offer a fast track service if requested. Over the next 6 months, we hope that most of the remaining papers accepted in 2004 can be published under the direction of the outgoing-editor. The Göteborg group will deal with all papers submitted for first review after January 1st, 2005 and we expect that these will be published from the June issue onwards. I certainly hope you will continue to support the European Journal of Heart Failure. I welcome your submissions and also the continued dedication of all our reviewers.