Content Types

To submit one of the following content types, please read the formatting details below, then follow the submission guidelines:

• Article
• Analysis
• Letter
• Resource
• Technical Report 
• Correspondence*
• Review*
• Perspective*
• Comment*
• Matters Arising – see specialist submission process here.

For more information on these content types, please contact Nature Cardiovascular Research:

• News and Views*
• Q & A*    
• Meeting Reports*
• Feature*
• Careers and Recruitment*
• Obituary*

*These content types should not include original (previously unpublished) research findings and may only contain minimal new supporting data. As they are non-primary articles they are not eligible for Open Access and can only be published using the subscription-based publishing route.

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Article

An Article is a substantial novel research study, with a complex story often involving several techniques or approaches. 

Format

• Main text – up to 4,500 words, excluding abstract, Methods, references and figure legends.
• Abstract – up to 150 words, unreferenced. It should contain a brief account of the background and rationale of the work, followed by a statement of the main conclusions introduced by the phrase 'Here we show' or some equivalent.
• Display items – up to 8 items (figures and/or tables). 
• Articles can also contain up to 10 additional Extended Data display items (figures and/or tables) and Supplementary Information.
• Article should be divided as follows: 
  • Introduction (without heading) 
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Online Methods. ​
• Results and Online Methods should be divided by topical subheadings (maximally 3 subheading levels); the Discussion does not contain subheadings.
• ​References – as a guideline, we typically recommend up to 60.
• Articles include received/accepted dates. 
• Articles may be accompanied by supplementary information. 
• Articles are peer reviewed. 

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Analysis

An Analysis is a new analysis of existing data or describes new data obtained in a comparative analysis that leads to novel and arresting conclusions of importance to a broad audience. 

Format

• Main text – up to 4,000 words (excluding abstract, online Methods, references and figure legends).
• Abstract –100-150 words, unreferenced. It should contain a brief account of the background and rationale of the work, followed by a statement of the main conclusions introduced by the phrase 'Here we show' or some equivalent. 
• Display items –up to 6 items (figures and/or tables). 
• Analyses should be divided as follows: 
  • Introduction (without heading) 
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Online Methods. ​
• Results and Online Methods should be divided by topical subheadings; maximum of three heading levels.
• The Discussion does not contain subheadings.
• References – as a guideline, we typically recommend up to 50.
• Analyses can contain up to 10 Extended Data display items (figures and/or tables) and Supplementary Information.
• Analyses include received/accepted dates. 
• Analyses may be accompanied by supplementary information. 
• Analyses are peer reviewed.

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Letter

A Letter discusses an important, novel research result, but is less substantial than an Article. 

Format

• Introductory paragraph (not abstract) up to 150 words, summarizing the background, rationale, main results and implications. This paragraph should be referenced, and should be considered part of the main text. It should contain a brief account of the background and rationale of the work, followed by a statement of the main conclusions introduced by the phrase 'Here we show' or some equivalent.
• Main text – up to 2,500 words, excluding the introductory paragraph, online Methods, references and figure legends. 
• References – as a guideline, we typically recommend up to 40.
• Display items – 2-4 items (figures and/or tables). 
• Letters can contain up to 10 Extended Data display items (figures and/or tables) Supplementary Information.
• Letters are not divided by headings, except for the online Methods headings, where two heading levels are allowed.
• Letters include received/accepted dates. 
• Letters may be accompanied by supplementary information. 
• Letters are peer reviewed.

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Resource

A Resource presents a large data set of broad utility, interest and significance to the community. 

Format

• Main text – up to 4,500 words (excluding abstract, online Methods, references and figure legends).
• Abstract – up to 150 words, unreferenced. It should contain a brief account of the background and rationale of the work, followed by a statement of the main conclusions introduced by the phrase 'Here we show' or some equivalent.
• Display items – up to 8 items (figures and/or tables). 
• Resource should be divided as follows: 
  • Introduction (without heading) 
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Online Methods. ​
• Results and Online Methods should be divided by topical subheadings, maximum of three heading levels; the Discussion does not contain subheadings.
• Resource can contain up to 10 Extended Data display items (figures and/or tables) and Supplementary Information.
• References – as a guideline, we typically recommend up to 60.
• Resources include received/accepted dates. 
• Resources may be accompanied by supplementary information. 
• Resources are peer reviewed.

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Technical Report 

A Technical Report presents primary research data on a new technique that is likely to be influential. 

Format

• Technical Reports have a format broadly similar to that of an Article, though they may be shorter.
• Begin with an unreferenced abstract (typically 150 words). It should contain a brief account of the background and rationale of the work, followed by a statement of the main conclusions introduced by the phrase 'Here we show' or some equivalent.
• Followed by separate sections for Introduction, Results, Discussion and Methods. Results and Methods can include three subheading levels. 
• Up to 3-8 display items (including figures and tables) are allowed. 
• Technical Report can contain up to 10 Extended Data display items (figures and/or tables) and Supplementary Information.
• References – as a guideline, we typically recommend up to 60.
• Technical Reports include received/accepted dates and may be accompanied by supplementary information.
• Technical Reports are peer reviewed.

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Correspondence

The Correspondence section provides a forum for comment on issues relevant to the journal’s community. This format may not be used for presentation of research data or analysis. 

Format

• Correspondence – between 300-800 words.
• Display items – 1 item.
• References – up to 10 references. Article titles are omitted from the reference list. 
• Correspondence may be peer-reviewed at the editors’ discretion. 

Note that Correspondence pieces are not technical comments on peer-reviewed research papers; these should be submitted as Matters Arising.

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Reviews & Perspectives

Nature Cardiovascular Research publishes two kinds of review, Review and Perspective articles.

Most articles are commissioned, but authors wishing to submit an unsolicited Review or Perspective must do so through our online submission system.

For invited Review and Perspective articles, please submit first a Synopsis.

• The synopsis should outline the basic structure of the article; list the material to be covered with an indication of the proposed depth of coverage; and indicate how the material will be logically arranged.
• The synopsis should be accompanied by a 300-500 word outline of the background to the topic which summarizes the progress made to date and should also make the case succinctly for publication in a topical, interdisciplinary journal.
• Synopses prepared at this level of detail enable Nature Cardiovascular Research's editors to provide editorial input before they commission the article, and can reduce the need for substantial editorial revisions at a later stage.
• The synopsis should include any very recent, key publications in the area.

Review

A Review is an authoritative, balanced and scholarly survey of recent developments in a research field. The requirement for balance need not prevent authors from proposing a specific viewpoint, but if there are controversies in the field, the authors must treat them in an even-handed way. 

The scope of a Review should be broad enough that it is not dominated by the work of a single laboratory, and particularly not by the authors' own work. 

Format

• Unreferenced abstract (up to 150 words).
• Main text – 4,000-6,000 words, including three subheading levels
• Illustrations are strongly encouraged.
• Display items include figures, tables and boxes (4-8).
• References – up to 150.
• Citations – these should be selective and, in the case of particularly important studies (≤ 10% of all the references), we encourage authors to provide short annotations explaining why these are key contributions.
• Reviews include received/accepted dates. 
• Reviews are peer reviewed.

​Perspective

A Perspective is a format for scholarly reviews and discussions of the primary research literature that are too technical for a Comment (see below) but do not meet the criteria for a Review—either because the scope is too narrow, or because the author is advocating a controversial position or a speculative hypothesis or discussing work primarily from one group. Two reviews advocating opposite sides in a research controversy are normally published as Perspectives. 

The related format Historical Perspective is a more technical account of a particular scientific development. Like other Perspectives, and in contrast to Historical Comment, Historical Perspectives are scholarly reviews, including citation of key references, aiming to present a balanced account of the historical events, not merely personal opinions or reminiscences.

Format

• Unreferenced abstract (up to 150 words).
• Length – up to 4,000 words, including three subheading levels. 
• References – up to 100.
• Display items (2-4)
• Perspectives include received/accepted dates.
• Perspectives are peer reviewed.

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Comment

A Comment is a flexible format, focusing on the scientific, commercial, ethical, legal, societal, or political issues surrounding research. Comment articles should be topical, readable, provocative and introduce new concepts/points of view, providing a personal perspective on a matter of public or scientific importance. The main criteria are that they should be of immediate interest to a broad readership and should be written in an accessible, non-technical style. 

The related format ‘Historical Comment’ is a journalistic treatment of the history of a particular discovery or technical development. These pieces may be a personal account by one of the participants or may present strong personal opinions. This format does not necessarily seek scholarly balance, and it should be journalistic and accessible rather than scholarly in style.

Format

Matters Arising

Matters Arising are exceptionally interesting and timely scientific comments and clarifications on original research papers published in Nature Cardiovascular Research. These comments should ideally be based on contemporary knowledge rather than subsequent scientific developments.

For detailed information on how to submit a Matters Arising, please follow instructions here.

• Includes short introduction paragraph (not an abstract)
• Length – up to 1,500 words.
• Display items-up to 2
• References – up to 15
• Matters Arising can contain up to 10 Extended Data display items (figures and/or tables)

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News & Views

News & Views articles inform readers about the latest advances in cardiovascular research, as reported in recently published papers or at scientific meetings. They may be linked to articles in , or they may focus on papers of exceptional significance that are published elsewhere. Unsolicited contributions will not normally be considered, although prospective authors are welcome to make proposals.

• Includes Subject terms
• Includes 2-sentence Standfirst
• Length – up to 1,500 words.
• Display items-1-2
• References – up to 5; titles omitted
• News & Views are not peer reviewed

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Q & A

Q&A pieces are questions and answers or interviews with individuals on topics that will be of interest to the wider cardiovascular and blood biology research community.  The vast majority of Q&A articles are commissioned, but proposals can be made to the editorial team.

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Meeting Reports

Meeting Reports inform readers about the latest developments in cardiovascular and haematology research, as reported at scientific conferences or meetings.

Most articles are commissioned, but proposals for meetings to be covered in this section can be made to the editorial team— although suggestions must be received in advance of the meeting taking place to ensure our coverage is as timely as possible. Meeting Reports should not be written by anyone involved in the conference organization, but rather by an independent speaker or attendee of the meeting.

Meeting Reports are not peer-reviewed, but undergo editing in consultation with the author.

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Feature

A Feature encompasses both the technical and commercial aspects of any topic relevant to our readership. This format is intended to complement the emerging scientific developments reported in the research section, and also to provide a forum for regulatory and business topics that would otherwise not be covered in the journal. 

 

Format

• Includes Subject terms
• Includes 1-2-sentence Standfirst
• Length – up to 3000 words, one level of headings that are located in the main text.
• Use of tables and figures is strongly encouraged. Display items-2-8
• References-variable number; titles omitted
• Written in a journalistic style, accessible to a wide range of non-specialist readers. 
• Nature Cardiovascular Research welcomes ideas for future topics.

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Careers & Recruitment

A Careers and Recruitment article provides a view on training, career development or hiring issues and information on the job market. 

Nature Cardiovascular Research welcomes ideas for future topics.

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Obituaries

Obituaries are by prior arrangement only, although suggestions are welcome.

• Length – 750-900 words (1pp)
• Display items – photos (credited)
• References – rare, up to 10, titles omitted