We aim for a uniform style of grammar and writing, together with consistent design:

1. summary boxes containing key points of the article in bullet format.
2. annotations of the key references.
3. multiple choice questions based upon the article.

Your article should be no longer than 3500 words (plus references), and include up to 3 figures and 3 tables. More figures can be accommodated if necessary, but this must be at the expense of text. We encourage authors to provide colour figures and illustrations (at no charge) as the intention is to attract readers to the section using all available visual stimuli. Figures should be provided as high resolution electronic files (TIFF, JPEG). All illustrations (eg, graphs and charts, line drawings, algorithms, etc) will be redrawn.

If you incorporate any figures that have appeared in previous publications, please ensure permission to reproduce these figs has been obtained from both authors and/or publishers, and send these permission letters to the Heart office when you have submitted the article.

Please note: When you submit the manuscript, please include six multiple choice questions based entirely upon the article, each with five stems indicating whether each statement is true or false. More than one stem can be true – do not structure the question so that only one answer can be correct.

View examples showing the format of the MCQs.

With regard to deadlines, please let us know if you feel unable to meet them in order that we can reschedule. The manuscript must be submitted using the Bench Press online submission system.

Please bear in mind the following points when preparing your article.

1. The objective of this series of articles is essentially educational for both Continuing Professional Development purposes as well as addressing the needs of trainees. We would like you to assume that the readers have ready access to standard textbooks and also to “evidence based” publications.
2. The targeted reader will be practising postgraduate cardiovascular medicine either as a trainee or as an established consultant. Your manuscript should therefore on the one hand aim to develop basic cardiological skills, and on the other hand provide a topical update of the subject.
3. We would like you to highlight areas of debate presenting these in a balanced way. We would like you to clarify which questions are unanswered and where you feel it appropriate speculate on future developments. A "guidelines" document is not being sought, though you may feel it appropriate to refer to these.
4. The article should aim to appeal to both UK and international audiences. Thus matters of a parochial nature (for example, funding issues) should be avoided, if possible.
5. We do not want a review addressing the needs of research workers in the field. Such articles appear elsewhere in the journal.
6. Overall, we seek an authoritative up to date assessment of a topic which provides appropriate theoretical background, a current state of the art exposition, and an expert’s glimpse of the future.

On behalf of Heart and the British Cardiac Society, we are pleased to offer you an honorarium of £750, which will be paid upon acceptance of the manuscript.

US authors
Example article (PDF)
Examples of multiple choice questions (PDF)

All other authors
Example article (PDF)
Examples of multiple choice questions (PDF)