Research

In this short video, STS members exchange viewpoints on a new study that found patients with postoperative PE had increased 30-day mortality, reintubation, and readmission rates, which was presented at the 2024 STS Annual Meeting.

Robbin Cohen, MD, Cedars-Sinai at Huntington Hospital, is joined by the study’s lead author, Andrea L. Axtell, MD, MPH, an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Michael Smith, MD, Norton Thoracic Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center, and John Mitchell, MD, University of Colorado Health, to discuss the research methodology, findings and impact on improving patient care. 

The editors of the European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EJCTS), The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, and The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (JTCVS) recognize the value of a streamlined and consistent submission process. To provide a simplified experience for our authors as they submit, we have harmonized our submission requirements for full-length original research articles. The newly aligned standards are listed below:

• 4,500 word count maximum (this includes all elements of the manuscript)  
• Maximum combined limit of seven figures and tables
• 40 reference maximum
• Strict adherence to the AMA Manual of Style for citations 
• No limit to the number of videos an author can submit

These changes are intended to reduce confusion and save time for our busy authors. These unified requirements will make it easier to resubmit to a different journal, if needed. Additionally, strict adherence to AMA style will make it easier for our authors to use reference management tools such as EndNote, Zotero, and Mendeley.

We are confident that this congruency will simplify the user experience when submitting to EJCTS, JTCVS, and The Annals.   

Sincerely,
Joanna Chikwe, MD, Editor-in-Chief, STS Journals
G. Alexander Patterson, MD, Editor-in-Chief, AATS Journals
Matthias Siepe, MD, EACTS Editor-in-Chief

STS News, Winter 2022 — Year after year, manuscript after manuscript, The Annals of Thoracic Surgery continues to rely on the valuable contributions and hard work of its peer reviewers—who in 2021, reviewed approximately 2,500 submissions.

“The best reviewers can take a manuscript from good to great. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery is deeply indebted to the more than 900 global cardiothoracic experts who provided peer reviews this year,” said Editor-in-Chief Joanna Chikwe, MD, FRCS.

In recognition of those who consistently provided a combination of high-quality, thorough, and professional reviews in a timely manner, The Annals presented “Reviewer of the Year” awards to the following outstanding recipients:

General Thoracic

Olugbenga T. Okusanya, MD, from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Adult Cardiac

Masashi Kawabori, MD, from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts

Congenital

Fawwaz R. Shaw, MD, from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia

Trainee

Makoto Hibino, MD, MPH, PhD, from the University of Toronto and St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Canada

"Last year, The Annals received nearly 4,000 new submissions, selected the best for peer review, and published the top 15% or so. The intellectual contribution of peer reviewers to the journal is invaluable. A detailed review takes time and thought, and these award winners have performed the most highly rated reviews this year," said Dr. Chikwe.

This award is presented to four reviewers on an annual basis. All peer reviewers are eligible, and the criteria include the number of completed reviews, average review rating (1-5 scale), and reviews submitted on time (within 14-day deadline). Feedback from the deputy editors also is considered.

If you are interested in joining the Annals Reviewer Volunteer program, contact theannals@sts.org.