European Society of Cardiology National Cardiovascular Journals: the 'Editors' Network'

Stimulating high-quality cardiovascular research is a major goal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).1–3 The ESC publishes two official general journals: the European Heart Journal and Cardiovascular Research,1–3 and several official sub-speciality journals. In addition, most European countries also have their own cardiovascular journals. National Society Cardiovascular Journals (NSCJ) have classically played a major role in disseminating high-quality scientific research, in education, and in the harmonization of clinical practice. Most NSCJ are published in local languages but many of them incorporate English editions and have obtained major international recognition. Altogether, NSCJ complement ESC official journals and provide a highly effective means to further disseminate European cardiovascular research. Promoting collaboration among NSCJ appeared highly desirable to facilitate advancement in knowledge and foster diffusion of scientific and educative contents. Therefore, under the auspices of the ESC, the first meeting of the NSCJ Editors took place in 2005 in Stockholm and received ESC Board approval. Since then a formal meeting of the NSCJ Editors has always been held at the annual ESC Congress. On April 2007, during the Spring Summit at the European Heart House in Nice, the ‘Editors' Club’ initiative was launched as an official ESC Task Force.3,4 The organization of the Task Force consists of a Nucleus of NSCJ Editors and remains within the membership division of the ESC, coordinated by the ESC vice president for National Societies. Further involvement of the ESC publishing department might be considered as required. In April 2009, the name ‘Editorś Network’ was considered more appropriate and this change was also approved by the ESC Board.