AUTHORS

Instruction to Authors
The Cardiovascular Journal of Africa is pleased to consider original articles, reviews, discussions on topical issues, case studies, meeting reports and other contributions relevant to the understanding, treatment and care of vascular disease.

Original articles and reviews are sent for independent peer-review. Material is accepted for publication on the understanding that it has not been published elsewhere. Authors will be asked to confirm this in writing and transfer copyright to the Journal.

Submission
All categories of manuscripts for the Cardiovascular Journal of Africa must be submitted on-line to Editorial Manager. You will be assigned your own password and user name. This will allow complete interaction between the editor and authors. Internally, reviewers will be approached to review material in their field of expertise and assigned with similar interaction. All information will be entirely protected and confidential.

All submissions should be written in a clear and succinct manner, following the style of the Journal. Title page should include a descriptive title; authors’ surname and forename, address of each author and full address, telephone, fax and e-mail contacts for the corresponding author. In text: tables and figures are either inserted as part of sentence, for example Table 1, or in parentheses, for example (Fig. 1). Each table should carry a descriptive heading.
Each figure should be submitted either electronically in a high resolution JPEG format, but they MUST be sent separately from the Word document. If not in high resolution JPEG, then Powerpoint will do. Or as a finalised hard copy with descriptive legends on a separate sheet. References (where relevant) by superscript number after punctuation. References numbered in the order of appearance in the text, according to Vancouver style. For articles: Author AB, Author C, Author KGMM. The title of the article. Abbreviated journal title 1999; 14: 172–183. For book chapters: Author AB, Author CD. The title of the chapter. In: Editor A, Editor BC, ed. Title of the book, 2nd edn. Location: Publisher, 1999: 133–139. Single-author articles should be accompanied by a relatively recent photograph of the author. Each photograph submitted should be no smaller than 55 mm x 70 mm in size and minimum resolution of 300 dpi.

Original articles: Title page as above. Abstract ( 150 words) a short inclusive statement suitable for direct electronic abstracting, identifying the purpose of the study, key methods, the main results and the main conclusion. Keywords: maximum of six keywords for indexing. Introduction: concise description of background, sufficient for the non-specialist to appreciate the context of the work. Clear statement of the purpose of the study. Methods: a brief description of study design, procedures, analytical techniques and statistical evaluation. Results: a clear account of the study findings using quantitative language where possible and cross-referenced to tables and figures . Figures be sent to us electronically in a high resolution JPEG format, but they MUST be sent separately from the Word document. If not in high resolution JPEG, then Powerpoint will do.

Discussion
an interpretation of the study placed within the context of current knowledge, leading to specific conclusions where possible. Acknowledgements. References, figures and tables as above.

Reviews
Title page as above. Abstract ( 150 words) setting out the scope, key messages and conclusions of the review. Body of text liberally partitioned with headings and subheadings leading to a synopsis with conclusions at the end. Key messages in a separate box itemising two to five short principal statements. Acknowledgements, references, tables and figures as above.

Other articles should adopt a concise style consistent with similar articles previously published in the journal. Manuscripts should include a title page, and appropriate subheadings for text. Style of tables, figures and references as above.

Figures be sent to us in a high resolution JPEG format, but they MUST be sent separately from the Word document. If not in high resolution JPEG, then Powerpoint will do.  Editorial Manager will clearly indicate which aspects of the submission must be supplied off-line.  This must be provided to the Journal by fax or mail (fax number +27 21 9768129 or PO Box 1013, Durbanville, 7551) or e-mail to info@cvja.co.za.

The status of progression of the peer-review system will be directly accessible by authors. The Editorial Manager system is particularly useful to authors and reviewers as there is a direct link to PubMed for viewing all related articles on the subject matter.

Submitted manuscripts must be supplied with a covering letter with any additional information that may be helpful to the editor, such as the type or format of article that the manuscript represents. If the manuscript has been submitted previously to another journal, it is helpful to include the previous editor's and reviewers' comments with the submitted manuscript, along with the authors' responses to those comments. Copies of any permission to reproduce published material, to use illustrations or report information about identifiable people, or to name people for their contributions must accompany the manuscript.

Guidelines for Authors and Readers of the CVJA
The Cardiovascular Journal of Africa (CVJA), which incorporates the Cardiovascular Journal of South Africa, is particularly concerned with publication of scientific articles related to Cardiac and Vascular conditions and situations, concerning adults and children, in Sub Saharan Africa. But will accept articles from all parts of the world. Basic Science publications related to clinical aspects either for elucidation, in-depth understanding or therapeutic approaches are accommodated. The Journal functions as official medium for other related societies which do not as yet have own Journals such as, Hypertension, Stroke, Nuclear Medicine and Magnetic Resonance in Cardiology, Paediatrics, Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, and Vascular disease in Diabetes and Obesity.

Index Medicus / Medline and Sabinet lists the Journal for indexing and electronic citation.

A printed version and an electronic version for citation and publication of abstracts are produced. The abstracts of articles published appear on PubMed with a link out to Sabinet to give access to full text retrieval of published material.

First Advance Online Publication (ahead of print publication)
The Cardiovascular Journal of Africa is launching an online First Advance Online Publication (ePublication ahead of print) with full text availability via Pubmed and this website which is accessible via Google and other search engines.

This facility is also known internationally as E-publication, ahead of print and offers authors the opportunity to publish their research articles sooner for an international audience.

Articles published online with CVJA will be published with unique DOI numbers, which ensures that the article can be cited using the date of the manuscript’s first online posting and its DOI number. DOI’s provide a persistent, permanent way to identify manuscripts in an electronic environment and are generated via our Editorial Management system and in accordance with the policy of the DOI foundation.

An example, of how articles are cited first online and then in print version is provided below:
Webster I et al. AMP Kinase activation and glut4 translocation in isolated cardiomyocytes. Cardiovasc J Afr. Prepublished month, day, year. DOI: CVJ 21.029

After the article is assigned to a specific issue, a new citation can be made using volume and page numbers followed by the DOI: Webster I et al. Article Title, Journal name, year; volume number: page numbers. DOI: CVJ 21.029

The initial Pubmed citation will be updated after the print version appears.

Cost of First Advance Online Publication
ZAR 2500 for Authors outside of Africa
ZAR 1000 for African Authors (including South Africa)

Editorial Policy
Statements and opinions expressed in articles and communications in CVJA are those of the authors and not those of the Editor or publisher . The Editor and publisher disclaims any responsibility or liability for such views.

Neither the Editor nor the publisher guarantees, warrants or endorses any product or service advertised in this publication; neither do they guarantee any claim made by the manufactures of such product or service.

Material submitted for publication in the Cardiovascular Journal of Africa is accepted on condition that it has not been published elsewhere. The management reserves the copyright of the articles published.

Aspects of cardiovascular medicine related to Sub-Saharan Africa will be encouraged.