Circulation (journal)

Circulation (journal)
Title	Circulation
Discipline	Cardiology, Cardiovascular medicine
Editor	Joseph A. Hill
Publisher	American Heart Association
Country	United States
History	1950–present
Frequency	Weekly
Openaccess	Hybrid
Impact	25.8
ISSN	0009-7322
EISSN	1524-4539
Website	https://www.ahajournals.org/journal/circ
CODEN	CIRCAZ

Circulation (journal). It is a premier weekly peer-reviewed medical journal published by the American Heart Association and is widely regarded as one of the most influential publications in the field of cardiovascular disease. The journal publishes original research, reviews, and clinical investigations covering all aspects of cardiology and the circulatory system, from basic translational research to clinical trials and population studies. Its content is essential reading for clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals involved in combating conditions like myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke.

History and background

The journal was first established in 1950 under the editorial leadership of Hermann L. Blumgart, marking a significant effort by the American Heart Association to create a dedicated forum for advancing cardiovascular science. Early volumes focused on foundational research into coronary artery disease, hypertension, and rheumatic heart disease, reflecting the major public health challenges of the mid-20th century. Over the decades, it has chronicled pivotal moments in the field, including the development of coronary care units, the advent of thrombolytic therapy, and the rise of percutaneous coronary intervention. The journal's editorial lineage includes notable figures like Eugene Braunwald and James T. Willerson, who helped steer its focus during periods of rapid technological and therapeutic advancement, such as the proliferation of stent technology and the genomics revolution.

Publication details

*Circulation* is published weekly by the American Heart Association through its publishing arm, Wolters Kluwer. Each volume contains a mix of original research articles, clinical trial reports, review articles, and special features like the "Images in Cardiovascular Medicine" series. The journal operates on a hybrid open access model, allowing authors to choose between traditional subscription-based or open access publication. It is indexed in major databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, Science Citation Index, and Scopus, ensuring global dissemination of its content. The current editor-in-chief is Joseph A. Hill, who leads an international team of deputy and associate editors based at institutions like the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Impact and recognition

With a 2022 impact factor of 25.8, *Circulation* consistently ranks among the top journals in the Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems category of the Journal Citation Reports. It is frequently cited in major clinical practice guidelines issued by bodies like the American College of Cardiology and the European Society of Cardiology. The journal's articles have underpinned landmark changes in medical practice, such as the widespread adoption of statins for primary prevention and the use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Its high citation metrics and rigorous peer-review standards make it a target for publishing groundbreaking studies from leading research centers worldwide, including the National Institutes of Health, the Framingham Heart Study, and the Cleveland Clinic.

Content and scope

The journal's scope encompasses the entire spectrum of cardiovascular medicine, publishing work on molecular biology, genetics, electrophysiology, vascular biology, and large-scale epidemiology. Regular sections include "Original Research," "Contemporary Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine," and "Cardiovascular Case Series." It places a strong emphasis on trials that change practice, such as those investigating novel anticoagulants, transcatheter aortic valve replacement, and therapies for pulmonary hypertension. Special issues often focus on emerging topics like cardio-oncology, artificial intelligence in cardiology, and the cardiovascular implications of COVID-19. The journal also publishes consensus statements from the American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology and scientific advisories on topics like dietary fats and air pollution.

Editorial policies and process

*Circulation* employs a rigorous single-blind peer-review process managed through an online editorial system. The editorial board, comprising experts from institutions like the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Imperial College London, ensures that all submissions meet high standards of scientific validity, novelty, and clinical relevance. The journal adheres to guidelines from the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors regarding authorship, conflict of interest disclosure, and clinical trial registration. It requires all human and animal studies to have approval from relevant ethics committees, such as an Institutional Review Board. The journal also has strict policies on image integrity and data sharing, encouraging deposition in repositories like ClinicalTrials.gov or Figshare.

Related publications

The *Circulation* portfolio is part of a larger family of journals published by the American Heart Association, each with a specialized focus. These include *Circulation Research*, which emphasizes basic and translational cardiovascular biology; *Circulation: Heart Failure*, dedicated to the pathophysiology and treatment of heart failure; and *Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions*, focusing on interventional cardiology techniques. Other related titles are *Stroke*, *Hypertension*, and *Journal of the American Heart Association*. Together, these publications form a comprehensive resource for the global cardiovascular community, often cross-referencing content and collaborating on thematic series.

Category:American Heart Association Category:Cardiology journals Category:Weekly journals Category:Publications established in 1950