Authors’ instructions

The British Journal of Cardiology is pleased to consider original papers, review articles and letters for publication. All material is assumed to be exclusively submitted to BJC unless otherwise stated in writing.

The BJC supports the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) on Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts (URM) Submitted to Biomedical Journals. These can be accessed at www.icmje.org. We also draw particular attention to ICMJE recommendations relating to ethical considerations, particularly those on the protection of human subjects and animals in research, conflicts of interest and peer review.

Types of manuscripts

• Review articles provide in-depth surveys of recent advances in a field. Suggestions for review articles should be provided in the form of a one page synopsis or discussed with the editors prior to submission.
• Original articles may appear as full length reports (approximately 2,000 words excluding references and figure legends) or short communication (approximately 1,000 words) which report preliminary data from original work.
• Letters are encouraged to provide comments on previously published papers or on important or novel aspects of research in the field.
• Case reports cannot currently be accepted for publication. The editors will announce in the journal when they are open to the submission of case reports again.

Manuscripts

Original manuscripts should include:

• Title page, full names, position and university/hospital affiliation of each author should be given (Please provide address, telephone number, fax number and email address for corresponding author)
• Abstract (up to 200 words) plus keywords (Keywords should be from the Medical subject headings (MeSH) list in Index Medicus where possible)
• Key messages (three or four bullet points to summarise the article for the busy reader)
• Introduction
• Materials and methods
• Results
• Discussion
• References (Vancouver style, see References below)
• Tables
• Figures (see Illustrations, artwork and photographs below)
• Picture of author for sole-authored papers (see Illustrations, artwork and photographs below)
• Acknowledgements
• List all sources of support for research
• A declaration of any conflict of interest

References

Example of typical reference:

1. Bell GM, Bernstein RK, Laragh JH et al. Increased plasma atrial natriuretic factor and reduced plasma renin in patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. Clin Sci 1989;77:177-82.
2. McMurray J, McDonough T, Morrison CE, Dargie HJ. The growing problem of heart failure in Scottish hospitals. Br Heart J 1993;69(suppl 1):73-6.

Example of reference for a chapter of a book or irregular data:

1. Edvinsson L, Mackenzie E, McCulloch J (eds). Cerebral blood flow and metabolism. New York: Raven Press, 1993:1-683.
2. Reus DJ, Iadecola C. Intrinsic central neural regulation of CBF and metabolism in relation to volume transmission. In: Fuxe K and Agnati LF (eds). Volume transmission in the brain: novel mechanisms for neural transmission. New York: Raven Press, 1991;523-38.

Submission

E-mail submissions

Electronic versions of manuscripts, preferably in Microsoft Word format, with text double-spaced, should be submitted to: production@bjcardio.co.uk

Communication should contain the full postal address and e-mail address of the sender, and a clear indication as to whether the correspondence is to be considered for publication. Acknowledgement of receipt will be sent by e-mail.

Postal submissions

Three copies of manuscripts, with text double-spaced, should be submitted along with a copy of the file on e-mail or CD. Authors should supply the names of all the files supplied. Additional information should include: the class of computer (IBM compatible, Apple Macintosh) and the name of the programme used. CDs submitted will only be returned upon request.

Please do not supply PDF versions of text. The document should be created using Microsoft Word, text double-spaced with one carriage return only between paragraphs and with single spaces after punctuation marks.

Spreadsheet or database files should also be supplied in both normal and ASCII format.

Postal submissions should be sent to:

The Editors
MediNews (Cardiology) Ltd
657 Fulham Road
London, SW6 5PY
T. +44 (020) 7731 4945
E. kwhite@bjcardio.co.uk

Illustrations, artwork and photographs

Illustrations should preferably be supplied by email or on CD as either eps, tiff
or jpeg files (minimum resolution 300 dpi) along with the original file they were created in. Alternatively, good quality transparencies, prints, or print outs should be submitted. Each illustration should be on a separate page with legend clearly indicated. Where possible, in particular in the case of graphs and charts, a copy of the source figures should be supplied on paper, email or CD.

A black and white or colour head and shoulders passport-style picture of the author (for sole-authored papers only) should also be supplied in its original form (preferably no smaller than 50 mm x 70 mm) or as an eps, tiff or jpeg file at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.

Authors wishing to supply original source material, such as CAT scans or X-Rays, should contact the BJC office in advance to make arrangements to expedite their return.

Do not write directly onto the reverse of photographs. The author’s name and the figure number should be affixed by label and the top of the picture clearly indicated. The legend should be supplied separately on a sheet of paper bearing the relevant figure number, author’s name and title of the article. Avoid the use of paper clips with prints as they may scratch the emulsion surface. All submissions containing CD, artwork and illustrations should be supplied in a stiffened envelope.

Selection of manuscript for publication

Manuscripts are selected for publication according to reports from two or three independent referees. All manuscripts are acknowledged on receipt.

Authors’ corrections

Page proofs of successfully selected manuscripts will be sent to authors. Corrections should be limited to typographical amendments. Authors’ approval will be assumed if corrections are not returned by the date indicated, however, a signed consent to publish form will be required. Failure to return a signed consent form to the publisher may result in delayed publication.

 For healthcare professionals only

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