Editorial

Some decades ago, the hereditary bleeding disorders, soon recognized to be related to deficiencies in then unknown clotting factors, provided a great stimulus for work in blood coagulation.This activity gradually broadened to cover the whole field of haemostasis and today the two seemingly opposite conditions of bleeding and thrombosis occupy the center of interest.In more general terms, haemostatis and thrombosis are part of the fundamental physiological processes of repair and regeneration and, therefore, any broader approach to their understanding must necessarily go beyond the borders of haemostasis in the classical sense.In order to efficiently control the haemostatic mechanism, whether for the treatment of bleeding disorders or for the prevention or dissolution of excessive fibrin deposits, it will be necessary to understand, whenever possible, all underlying processes.The problem has proven to be very complex and calls for a joint effort of spe cialists from many different fields.In fact, many clinical investigators and scientists of different disciplines are already engaged in studies on thrombosis and haemostasis.Reports are published in a great variety of journals, indicating the multidisciplinary approach to the problem.Fortunately, there are a few journals which go beyond the boundaries of a specific discipline in order to cover as completely as possible any progress in this fascinating field of biomedical research.One of these journals is Haemostasis which was created 3 years ago with just this aim.Under the managing editorship of Professor Luscher, this journal has become a truly international journal and has demonstrated its viability.Now that Professor Luscher is forced to resign because of heavy commitments to the Swiss National Science Foundation, it is most appropriate to thank him here for all of his efforts, which include many discussions which finally led to the formulation and realization of a new editorial policy.Recognition of the fact that many disciplines are involved in research on haemostasis and thrombosis and the desire to have a more open system of