Thirty-three years ago, a fledgling group of individuals identified the need for a publication devoted to the field extracorporeal circulation. These pioneers were drawn from numerous disciplines that included dialysis technicians, cardiovascular research laboratories, and allied health fields, yet were unified through a common goal: A commitment to grasp a fuller understanding of the intricacies of blood flow outside of the body. They were unencumbered by neither the temptations of finance, nor by ego, since cardiac surgery, with the use of the heart-lung machine, had yet to experience the tremendous growth that soon followed. Having joined the field since that time, I can only summize that their motivations were genuine -- focused totally upon the unifying goal of improving patient care. Regardless, they ushered in a new era with the creation of the first formal publication dedicated to the field of perfusion: the Journal of ExtraCorporeal Technology.
Journal Metamorphosis
With this first issue of volume 33, the Journal is reorganizing itself to meet the evolving needs of practitioners. This change was influenced via a multitude of influences, the least of which are a growth in healthcare delivery, and an expansion of the role of cardiovascular perfusionists. All organizations plan by examining their intrinsic missions and weighing those against a prediction of future need. This process, if successful, is systematic, where resources are inventoried, predictions made, allocations directed, distribution facilitated, and reassessment instituted. Today no one has a clear handle on the technological advancements that will develop in the fight against cardiac and vascular disease. What we do know is that any advancement will come through an amalgamation of ideas from multiple disciplines that include molecular biology and the physical sciences. Although the evolution of a technology passes from thought to practical application in a sequence of phases, its final consummation is enjoyed only through its validation by peer review, and dissemination in print. Opinion is molded from this application of scientific methodology and patient care is enhanced. As we enter the twenty-first century, AmSECT embraces a reevaluation in the Journal’s role in meeting the needs of its subscribers, and ultimately, of improving societie’s health through the practice of perfusion. The basis for the new format of the Journal thus becomes evident.
Journal Changes
The most obvious change to the Journal was observed prior to you ever reading this editor’s comments. The cover page was designed to reflect the intimacy between circulation and cardiovascular perfusion. The left-hand border of the cover contains an image of the heart and lungs encircled by a loop, designating the bypass of these organs. The inside contents will now be displayed on the outside cover in index form. When the contents include a special meeting or proceedings, such as this issue’s inclusion of the 39th International Convention’s abstracts, the designation will be made in the table of contents.
Internally, the primary change is seen in the revised Instructions For Authors guidelines. These instructions not only provide the directions for manuscript preparation, but also enable the editorial board to review manuscripts in a procedural manner. All authors are encouraged to examine these changes in the instructions prior to submitting their work for review. In addition to the requisite copyright authorization, authors are now required to disclose potential conflicts of interest concurrent with manuscript submission. In the event the manuscript is accepted by the editorial board, a statement of disclosure may be footnoted to the manuscript stating such affiliation. This will not preclude publication.
Additionally, section editors have been identified and charged with overseeing the solicitation and review of manuscripts of specific formats. The section editors with their section designations are as follows: Jeff T. Edwards – Emerging Technologies, Douglas Larson - Review Articles, Rick G. Smith -Articles of Interest, John M. Toomasian - Case Reports, Marco Vasquez - Book Reviews, and Julie Wegner – Techniques and Applications. One of the most significant changes will not be found in these pages, yet will influence the conduct of Journal affairs. Bruce Searles has spearheaded the internet efforts of the editorial board and designed the Journal webpage. This site will serve both the AmSECT membership and subscribers in numerous ways and provide a ready link to the entire 32 year archive of Journal abstracts and articles. The benefits of such a retrieval service are enormous and will expedite searching of Journal reprints. The website will contain all information that is currently found inside each issue along with aids for both authors and for reviewers. The address is www.JECT.org and is accessible from the AmSECT website (www.amsect.org). The establishment of this page is the first step in the progress towards a paperless publication process.
When trying to identify facts of certainty, few things come quicker to the mind then the proverbial ‘death and taxes’. As clinicians we realize that this list could easily be amended to include scientific advancement, since the technologies of yesterday only succeed in fueling the discoveries of tomorrow. We enjoy the realization that the limits of science are yet indefinable, only tethered by the constraints of unimaginative thoughts. It is with pride that AmSECT continues its support, through publication of the Journal, of all individuals concerned with the science of extracorporeal circulation.
Journal of ExtraCorporeal Technology
Alfred H. Stammers, MSA, CCP
Editor