This year, JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging and JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions are celebrating a decade of notable contributions to clinical cardiology. The second and third journals to launch in the family of JACC Journals -- which now includes six journals -- they have served as important platforms for practice-changing research over the past 10 years. Each journal is focused on publishing the top research in their respective field, and has published hundreds of manuscripts to date. Over the past decade the journals have evolved to reflect changes within their fields and contributed to the upward trajectory of knowledge surrounding their specialties. We asked JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging Editor-in-Chief Y. Chandrashekhar, MD, FACC, and JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions Editor-in-Chief David J. Moliterno, MD, FACC, to share their thoughts on the contributions of each journal to date, as well as their future roles in the imaging and interventional arenas.

Dr. Chandrashekhar, what would you describe as JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging's greatest contributions to the field of cardiovascular imaging?

JACC Cardiovascular Imaging, at its very inception, had promised to provide a robust and highly regarded platform for showcasing the art and science of imaging and many would agree that it has fulfilled that promise in large measure. Through its unique multi-modality focus, fostered under the exceptional leadership of Jagat Narula, MD, PhD, MACC, past editor-in-chief, the journal helped augment modality independent thinking at a time when most imaging research was published in single modality centered vehicles. Finally, JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging has tried to encourage more evidence-based research in imaging and this has been enthusiastically supported by audiences.

What would you say have been the most pivotal studies covered over the last 10 years?

In the last 10 years, we have had some of the most influential papers in interventional imaging – both assessing suitability of intervention and helping with its performance. Our journal published most of the major papers that address differentiating normal from abnormal myocardium in a number of conditions and papers where this was used to predict prognosis in these conditions. Some robust imaging clinical trials found a home at JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, particularly in the last few years. Since there are so few clinical trials in imaging out there, we are very heartened that authors chose our journal to showcase these findings. We had pioneering papers in relating abnormal coronary flow (FFR) to not only stenosis but to composition of the coronary plaque underlying the stenosis. Similarly, we published some of the first high-impact papers relating systemic inflammation to cardiac disease progression and outcomes. Traditionally, review articles generate many more citations than original research; however, reviews accounted for less than 10 percent of the top cited papers in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging over the last five years. It is gratifying to us that our original research is so highly appreciated by other investigators.

What makes JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging unique from other similar publications?

All journals have a distinctive character and our journal has some unique flavors too. JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging has always been dedicated to publishing the highest quality original research – it has never encouraged small studies, those not performed robustly or case reports. It has been modality agnostic, has not been averse to publishing important negative studies and encourages all good papers even from areas not traditionally considered covered under the usual "cardiac imaging" rubric. Its editors comprise of top researchers in all modalities of imaging and more importantly, are based across multiple continents. This international diversity is also reflected in its publication profile consisting of a healthy mix of U.S. and non-U.S. based authors.

What role would you like JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging to play in the imaging arena going forward?

Imaging is a field where the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" is most apt. Moreover, most of what we do in imaging is finding information in moving images. Both finding information and best displaying are far better suited to the "online world" rather than a static PDF page. To that end, the journal will become online only starting with the March issue. There will be an option to "print on demand," but you will get the best visual and learning experience on our website! This move will come with a better designed user experience, better implementation of our best ideas about searching, finding and using the published content, and better learning opportunities for our readers. The web offers far greater potential for learning and sharing knowledge in imaging than print ever can allow for. I am excited about what this will mean for both our expert authors and discerning readers. Please stay tuned and do write to us with what you like or don't like and what other features you would like to see.

Looking ahead, what do you think will be the hottest topics in cardiovascular imaging 10 years from now?

Editors are not good at predicting the hottest topics in next year or two, let alone 10 years from now! Some things, however, seem logical – better technology, miniaturization, faster imaging, better resolution and possibly better interfacing between multiple imaging modalities. Some things will remain the same – optimizing the economics of imaging will still be a hot topic. There will be pressure to show robust evidence that what we do makes a difference to patient outcomes and that we have imaged the most efficient way. Predicting trends or trying to ride such waves is, however, a losing game for Editors. We will continue to do what we have always done – meticulously encourage, curate and showcase the best papers that will change the practice of imaging!

Read the latest issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.

Dr. Moliterno, what would you describe as JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions’ greatest contributions to the field of interventional cardiology?

Like many aspects of cardiology, the interventional field is continually changing. JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions has markedly helped keep up with these advancements. Among the subspecialty journals in interventional cardiology, JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions was one of the first to be established. During his 10 years at the helm of the journal, Spencer B. King III, MD, MACC, did a terrific job keeping the journal on an upward trajectory. The journal quickly grew and moved from publishing several times per year to publishing twice monthly. I would say its greatest contribution to the field is that it represents the global community. Last year, the journal received submissions from more than 50 countries!

What aspects of the journal are you particularly proud of?

When the deputy editors and I put together the working group of associate editors, we were focused on being inclusive. We ended up with 30 partners from around the globe representing all aspects of interventional cardiology. Likewise, we were fortunate to attract a group of outstanding editorial board consultants from North America, South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We intentionally sought out female interventional cardiologists as they continue to be underrepresented in the field.

Looking ahead, what do you think will be the hottest interventional topics 10 years from now?

Over the past decade, there has been movement in the percentage of papers received into the categories of coronary, structural and peripheral interventions. The overwhelming predominance of papers early on was in coronary artery interventions. With the remarkable growth in structural heart disease, largely driven by transcatheter heart valves, a greater percentage of papers are now received in structural interventions. If you want to see where you are heading, look at the momentum that is carrying you – clearly, JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions and the field will continue to grow with structural interventions. With a far greater prevalence of mitral and tricuspid valve disease among our patients, I expect that research, clinical care and publications for these valvular procedures will be the hottest topics over the upcoming several years.

What role would you like JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions to play in the interventional arena going forward?

Publications will continue to evolve as technology and the readership changes. The ongoing evolution to digital media and a variety of formats will continue and may accelerate. Just as JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions has been a pioneer in the interventional publication arena, so too would I like to see it become a valuable digital media pioneer going forward. We will continue to be a global journal, and digital media options will be essential for our readership.

Read the latest issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Keywords: Asia, Cardiac Imaging Techniques, Cardiology, Constriction, Pathologic, Consultants, Coronary Vessels, Disease Progression, Europe, Female, Heart Valve Diseases, Inflammation, Internet, Leadership, Middle East, Miniaturization, Myocardium, North America, Prevalence, Prognosis, Publications, Publishing, Research, Research Personnel, South America, Tricuspid Valve, Writing, Angiography

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