Annual Report 2024 of Exploration of Cardiology 

Exploration of Cardiology (EC), an open access journal launched in August 2023, The journal aims to publish papers of the highest quality and significance in all areas related to Cardiology. A special emphasis is placed on environmental cardiology and the use of sustainable practices. 

Over the past year, EC has made significant strides in its development, including increasing its visibility, impact, and influence within the academic community. This report highlights the key achievements and provides an outlook for 2025.

Key Achievements in 2024

Manuscript Submission and Publication

Increasing Submissions

In 2024, EC received 43 manuscripts, a 59% increase from the 27 received in 2023. This growth indicates that the journal's influence and recognition among researchers are on the rise, likely due to its high-quality research, efficient editorial processes, and focus on relevant topics. The submissions included 13 Original Articles (30.2%), 21 Review Articles (48.8%), and 9 Others (21%). The high proportion of Original and Review Articles suggests that the journal has become an important platform for researchers to share new findings. This further highlights the journal’s role in promoting innovative research and attracting scholars who aim to make meaningful contributions to their fields. It also reflects EC’s expanding global reach and its ability to engage with a diverse research community.

Stable Publication

EC published 25 articles in 2024, a substantial increase from the 15 articles published in 2023. This growth demonstrates the journal’s expanding capacity and its ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful content to the academic community. The published articles included 10 Reviews (40%), 8 Original Articles (32%), and 7 Other types of contributions (28%). This diverse mix of article types reflects EC’s dedication to both advancing new research and consolidating existing knowledge. By offering a platform for both cutting-edge discoveries and comprehensive reviews, EC caters to the diverse needs of researchers, clinicians, and academics. EC will continue to build on its achievements by focusing on high-quality research and expanding its global reach.

Figure 1. Country Distribution of EC Publication 2024

Authors

In 2024, EC published 25 articles from 25 corresponding authors across 13 countries. The average H-index of corresponding authors was 20.5, and that of first authors was 15.1. These metrics reflect the journal’s commitment to publishing high-quality research from diverse regions. Moving forward, EC will actively seek to engage with researchers worldwide to further enrich content diversity and promote global inclusivity.

Journal Article Data Highlights

As of the end of 2024, EC has seen two articles with over 1,000 views and 100 downloads, highlighting the significant attention these articles have garnered. This success is likely due to their relevant topics or novel findings. The average view count is 1,267, and the average download count is 35.1, suggesting that our articles are attracting a dedicated readership. EC has also accumulated 14 citations as of 2024. Moving forward, we plan to build on this success by targeting popular topics and promoting high-potential content.

Table 1. Top2 most viewed & downloaded articles in 2024

Featured Article

The article "Who is the author: genuine, honorary, ghost, gold, and fake authors?," authored by the editors-in-chief, Professor Eugenio Picano, has received over 6,400 views and 176 downloads. This piece focuses on the complex topic of authorship. It delves into different types of authors such as genuine, honorary, ghost, gold, and fake authors. Authorship should accurately mirror those who have made significant contributions to a research project and are accountable for its public aspects. By analyzing these various authorship types, the article aims to clarify the concept and set proper standards, providing valuable insights for the academic community.

Manuscript Processing

Rejection Rate

The rejection rate rose slightly to 25.7% in 2024 from 20% in 2023. This suggests the journal is becoming more selective, a positive sign of its commitment to maintaining high academic standards.

Manuscript Processing Time

Despite the increased manuscript load, our journal has achieved significant improvements in processing efficiency. In 2024, key metrics such as the Initial Review time (2.5 days) and Submission to Publication time (75 days) demonstrate our enhanced efficiency. Additionally, the initial rejection time of 2.6 days and the first-round review time of 34 days reflect our commitment to quicker dissemination of research and timely feedback to authors. These improvements not only expedite the publication process but also enhance the journal's appeal and competitiveness.

Reviewers

In 2024, the participation of 90 reviewers from 26 countries in our review process highlighted the journal's global reach and collaborative spirit. Their diverse expertise and dedication ensured rigorous and fair evaluations, enhancing the quality of published research. We are grateful for their invaluable contributions and look forward to continued excellence.

Figure 2. Country Distribution of EC Reviewers 2024

Editorial Board

New Editorial Board Members in 2024

In 2024, EC added 13 new editorial board members from the Canada, Belgium, HongKong China, France, Qatar, Hungary, Korea, USA, Germany, China and Austria. Their diverse backgrounds enhance the journal's global perspective and academic influence, with an average H-index of 55. 

Figure 3. Newly Joined Editorial Board Members in 2024

Current Editorial Board

By the end of 2024, the Editorial Board of EC had 47 members from 27 countries/regions, including 1 Chief Editor, 8 Associate Editors, and 38 Editorial Board Members, with an impressive average H-index of 56. Among them are distinguished experts in various fields of medicine, such as Professor Bertram Pitt (University of Michigan Medical School, H-index of 129), Professor Jeffrey Allen Towbin (University of Tennessee Health Science Center, H-index of 152), Professor Patrick Serruys (University of Galway, H-index of 201), etc.

Figure 4. Country Distribution of EC Editorial Board

We extend our sincere appreciation to all members of the Editorial Board for their remarkable contributions in 2024. Their efforts in spearheading special issues, submitting high-quality manuscripts, and actively promoting the journal at various conferences have been instrumental in our success. Their steadfast support has been the cornerstone of the journal’s rapid growth and expansion. As we step into 2025, we are excited to deepen our collaboration with the Editorial Board and strive for new achievements, propelling EC to new heights.

Special Issues

Completed Special Issue (2024)

The special issue "Common cardiovascular target for a wide gamut of contemporary health problems – thrombotic and arrhythmic sides of an inflammatory coin" was a great success in 2024, featuring six articles that collectively garnered over 10,140 views and 192 downloads, thereby demonstrating its significant impact and wide-reaching appeal in the field of cardiovascular research, and underscoring the importance of this topic in addressing contemporary health challenges. 

Newly Released Special Issues (2024)

In 2024, EC released 4 special issues,covering a broad range of topics, aiming to foster innovative research and provide in-depth insights. We invite researchers to submit their work to these special issues and contribute to the advancement of cardiovascular research. Each special issue is led by renowned guest editors and offers a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge topics in depth. We look forward to receiving your submissions and continuing to build a robust platform for scientific exchange.

Table 2. Newly Released Special Issues in 2024 (Open for Submission)

Database indexing

Currently, EC has been indexed in several important databases, including Google Scholar, Dimensions, MyScienceWork, and Portico. These indexing services have significantly enhanced the visibility and accessibility of our published research, ensuring that it reaches a broader audience within the global scientific community. Looking ahead, we are determined to apply for inclusion in prestigious databases like DOAJ and Scopus. This will boost article visibility, enhance our journal's reputation, and align with our commitment to promoting high-quality, open-access research and ensuring our authors' work is widely recognized and utilized.

Social Media & Promotion

In 2024, we witnessed significant growth in the social media presence of EC, particularly on LinkedIn, where our journal homepage now has 1,920 followers. Through regular updates, interactive content, and targeted promotions, we have successfully increased our reach and engagement. This growth underscores our commitment to engaging with the broader scientific community and keeping our audience informed about the latest research and developments in cardiology.

Goals and Expectation

In 2025, EC Journal is committed to enhancing its academic visibility and impact through targeted initiatives. We will continue to publish cutting-edge research and maintain open access to our articles, ensuring that our authors' work is widely recognized and utilized. Enhanced promotion through social media, email newsletters, and academic platform collaborations will further elevate the journal's profile.

We plan to apply for inclusion in prestigious databases such as the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and Scopus, significantly boosting the discoverability of our articles. Additionally, we aim to achieve an average citation rate of 1.2 by attracting high-quality papers and encouraging authors to engage deeply with existing literature.

We plan to participate in 2–3 international academic conferences while enhancing article promotion through social media, email newsletters, and strategic partnerships with academic platforms to foster global collaboration and amplify our impact. We warmly welcome collaborators to join us in these initiatives. Whether through co-organizing events, submitting high-quality articles, or sharing expertise, we believe that collaboration is key to amplifying our impact and advancing knowledge in cardiology. Together, we can create more opportunities for researchers and the academic community, driving forward the frontiers of cardiovascular research and clinical practice.

Best Regards,

EC Editorial Office

Contact us: ecjournal@explorationpub.com

EC website: https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/ec

Submission Link: https://ec.aressystem.com/

Annual Report 2024 of Exploration of Cardiology.pdf