Journal profile · Respiratory System
Heart & Lung
ISSN 0147-9563 · eISSN 1527-3288 · Mosby Inc. · UNITED STATES · Bimonthly · Founded 1972
Heart & Lung: CAS Zone 4 · Medicine (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 2.45; hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,600; median 135 days to acceptance (104 articles, last 24 months); community-reported acceptance: easy; 232 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Heart & Lung is published by Mosby Inc. and is in Zone 4 of Medicine in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Heart Failure Treatment and Management, Cardiac Health and Mental Health and Diverse Scientific and Economic Studies, together about 27.8% of its articles. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Heart & Lung: The Journal of Cardiopulmonary and Acute CareHeart & Lung, the official publication of the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses, publishes original, peer-reviewed articles that advance the clinical and translational science of cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, including care delivered in acute and critical care settings.We welcome submissions that focus on improving outcomes for patients with cardiovascular and/or respiratory conditions, across the continuum of care—from hospital to home, and from prevention to advanced disease management. Our scope includes clinical research, implementation science, quality improvement, and translational studies that bridge scientific discovery and clinical practice.The journal focuses on three major, integrated domains: cardiovascular disease (such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and structural heart conditions), pulmonary disease (including COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary vascular disorders), and critical and acute care, specifically as it relates to patients with underlying or primary cardiopulmonary conditions.All manuscripts must clearly demonstrate a clinical and translational impact. Basic science, animal studies, or work in cellular or molecular models without direct human applicability will not be considered. Genomics and biomarker research are welcome only if the findings have clear translational relevance to cardiopulmonary care.The journal does not consider work in rehabilitation science, psychometric scale development, or workforce issues unless it is directly linked to improving outcomes in patients with cardiovascular and/or pulmonary disease.We encourage submissions from interdisciplinary teams, across diverse settings and populations, and from researchers around the globe. Articles that provide practical frameworks for applying research in clinical care are especially valued.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Respiratory System
Editor-in-chief Nancy RedekerPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 4 in mainland China (about 8%); most named United States 37, United Kingdom 5, Mainland China 4, Italy 2, United Arab Emirates 2 (52 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Heart Failure Treatment and ManagementMedicine13.2%
- Cardiac Health and Mental HealthMedicine8.2%
- Diverse Scientific and Economic StudiesEconomics, Econometrics and Finance6.4%
- Respiratory Support and MechanismsMedicine5.4%
- Human auditory perception and evaluationEngineering5.4%
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) ResearchMedicine5.3%
- Intensive Care Unit Cognitive DisordersMedicine4.7%
- Mechanical Circulatory Support DevicesEngineering4.5%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Medicine Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Medicine | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Nursing | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Respiratory System | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Medicine Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Medicine | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Nursing | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Respiratory System | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Medicine Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Medicine | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Nursing | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Respiratory System | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 2.45LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 2.5Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 4.8LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 4.8Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.79LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 0.9LetPub ·
- h-index
- 65LetPub ·
- h-index
- 105OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 1,648OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 1.98OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 4%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 12.8%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 184LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 4,695 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 229 | 63 | 52 |
| 2025 | 232 | 40 | 410 |
| 2024 | 193 | 52 | 831 |
| 2023 | 205 | 73 | 1,475 |
| 2022 | 235 | 99 | 2,225 |
| 2021 | 173 | 70 | 1,941 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Review time from article dates manuscript dates registered with PubMed · to
135 daysMedian, submission to acceptance · P25–P75 110 days – 164 days
- Acceptance to online
- median 9 days (104 articles)
- Submission to online
- median 146 days
- Sample
- 104 articles with submission and acceptance dates (527 in the window); the latest was accepted on
Only articles that were accepted and published are counted, not the time spent on rejected manuscripts, so this usually runs longer than a publisher's "time to first decision".
Other sources
- Average review time (community reports)
- 6–12 weeksLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- EasyLetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 21 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 60 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 128 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 9 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 3,600 / EUR 3,370 / GBP 2,880 / JPY 446,510 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 3,330 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
What to prepare7 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Keywords
- 1–7
- Manuscript length
- ≤ 4,000 words
- Reference style
- AMA
- First submission
- Free format: the journal's layout is not required
- Highlights
- Required
- Cover letter
- Required
Article types accepted11, with length limits
- brief reportWe publish original research articles, systematic reviews and brief reports that are on the cutting edge of science and clinical practice. Discussions of costs …main text ≤ 1,500 words · abstract ≤ 250 words · references ≤ 10
- brief reportsBrief Reports are concise reports of novel findings, preliminary data, or focused observations relevant to clinical practice or health policy. The text should n…Length not stated
- lettercational critique of a published paper. Letters should be no longer than 1000 words, with no more than 1 table or figure, and no more than 5 remain text ≤ 1,000 words
- letters to the editorReader's letters will be considered for publication if they are objective, constructive or educational critique of a published paper. Letters should be no longe…main text ≤ 1,000 words · references ≤ 5
- original research articleWe publish original research articles, systematic reviews and brief reports that are on the cutting edge of science and clinical practice. Discussions of costs …Length not stated
- original research articlesOriginal Research Articles present the results of scientific studies. Regular Research Articles are based on empirical data and may include case vignettes, but …Length not stated
- randomized controlled trialsRandomized Controlled Trials should follow CONSORT reporting guidelines and must be registered prior to enrollment of participants (e.g., at ClinicalTrials.gov)…Length not stated
- regular research articleWe publish original research articles, systematic reviews and brief reports that are on the cutting edge of science and clinical practice. Discussions of costs …Length not stated
- research articleWe publish original research articles, systematic reviews and brief reports that are on the cutting edge of science and clinical practice. Discussions of costs …Length not stated
- reviewWe publish original research articles, systematic reviews and brief reports that are on the cutting edge of science and clinical practice. Discussions of costs …Length not stated
- systematic reviewWe publish original research articles, systematic reviews and brief reports that are on the cutting edge of science and clinical practice. Discussions of costs …main text ≤ 4,000 words · abstract ≤ 250 words · references ≤ 40
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use Declaration of generative AI use
Authors must declare the use of generative AI tools in the manuscript preparation process upon submission of the paper.Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI tools”) have been rapidly adopted in research and scholarly publishing, offering significant benefits while requiring clear standards for responsible and transparent use.Authors preparing a manuscript for this journal may use AI tool…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Group authorship
Group authorship refers to the attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members have contributed to the work. Examples include research consortia, clinical trial groups, collaborative networks, task forces or working groups, expert panels or consensus groups, and participatory research groups. Group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. When av…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Declaration of competing interests
All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work. Examples of potential competing interests include:EmploymentConsultanciesStock ownershipHonorariaPaid expert testimonyPatent applications or registrationsGrants or any other fundingAffiliation with the journal as an Editor or Advisory Board …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics
Elsevier's Publishing Ethics Policy Model summary
Authors must follow ethical guidelines stated in Elsevier's Publishing Ethics Policy.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright License options
Authors will be offered open access user license options which will determine how you, and third parties, can reuse your open access article. We advise that you review these options and any funding body license requirements before selecting a license option.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access
We refer you to our open access information page to learn about open access options for this journal.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer review
single anonymized review process Model summary
This journal follows a single anonymized review process. Your submission will initially be assessed by our editors. If your submission is deemed suitable, it will typically be sent to be reviewed by a minimum of two reviewers for an independent expert assessment of the scientific quality. The decision as to whether your article is accepted or rejected for publication will be made by our editors.Re…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints
preprint sharing allowed Model summary
Preprint sharingAuthors may share preprints in line with Elsevier's article sharing policy. Sharing preprints, such as on a preprint server, will not count as prior publication.We advise you to read our policy on multiple, redundant or concurrent publication.
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Mosby Inc.
- Country or region
- UNITED STATES
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Bimonthly
- Founded
- 1972
- ISSN
- 0147-9563
- Electronic ISSN
- 1527-3288
- Society / sponsor
- American Association of Heart Failure Nurses
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Heart & Lung
What CAS zone is Heart & Lung in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Heart & Lung is in Zone 4 of Medicine, and in Zone 3 of the minor category Nursing / Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems / Respiratory System. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 3 of Medicine. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Heart & Lung?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 2.45; CiteScore 4.8, h-index 105.
How long does peer review take at Heart & Lung?
Based on the dates recorded on 104 articles published between October 2024 and October 2026 (the last 24 months), the median time from submission to acceptance is 135 days (interquartile range 110–164 days); authors report an average review time of 6–12 weeks; the community-reported acceptance is “Easy”. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Heart & Lung?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Keywords: 1–7; Manuscript length: ≤ 4,000 words; Reference style: AMA; First submission: Free format: the journal's layout is not required; Highlights: Required; Cover letter: Required. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Heart & Lung based?
Of the 52 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 4 (about 8%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (37), United Kingdom (5) and Mainland China (4). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Heart & Lung?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Heart & Lung is indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Is Heart & Lung open access, and what is the APC?
Heart & Lung is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,600.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-25). Last updated: .