Journal profile
The VAD Journal The Journal of Mechanical Assisted Circulation and Heart Failure
ISSN 2378-2706 · Gill Heart Institute, University of Kentucky · United States
The VAD Journal The Journal of Mechanical Assisted Circulation and Heart Failure: diamond open access (no APC); no APC; review about 3 weeks (community reports); 2 articles in 2025.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
The VAD Journal The Journal of Mechanical Assisted Circulation and Heart Failure is published by Gill Heart Institute, University of Kentucky. By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices, Transplantation: Methods and Outcomes and Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, together about 58.6% of its articles. Its main subfields are Surgery and Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
The VAD Journal is a multidisciplinary, open access publication devoted to all aspects of mechanically assisted circulation and advanced heart failure. Our goal is to address topics and issues related to mechanically assisted circulation and to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas among professionals from various specialties working with ventricular assist devices (VADs) and other technology that improves the lives of patients with heart failure. The ultimate goal of the journal is to assist the field in improving patient care. Currently, articles related to VADs are orphans in journals devoted to cardiac transplantation, bioengineering, or cardiothoracic surgery. The VAD Journal aims to appeal to a multidisciplinary group of specialists, including cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, vascular surgeons, radiologists, interventional radiologists, cardiovascular anesthesiologists, cardiac imaging specialists, bioengineers, and basic science researchers in advanced heart failure. This multidisciplinary expertise is needed to effectively treat heart failure and ensure the successful use of mechanically assisted circulation devices. Thus, the VAD Journal aims to speak to experts across disciplines. The VAD Journal publishes a wide spectrum of clinically-focused research including original research studies, case reports, images, techniques, and reviews. Since the journal is published online, authors are able to submit and publish high-quality images and videos. Online publishing also enables a fast turnaround time. The average time to decision from submission is less than 30 days. We intend for the VAD Journal to differ from existing journals in several ways: The journal will be mainly online with its print version issued once a year, and therefore we will be publishing accepted papers as soon as they are copyedited. In this way, we will affect more rapid dissemination of new findings and ideas. We will attempt to publish all articles within 30 days of acceptance. The journal uses peer-review for all articles except the annual literature review by the Editor-in-Chief, Brano Heart Failure Forum Proceeding Papers, and any editorials. A double-blinded review system is used to ensure fair and unbiased reviews. Each manuscript (after being initially screened by the Editor-in-Chief or an editorial board member) will be sent to at least two independent reviewers. For questions or concerns please contact the editor in charge at [email protected]. Indexed
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Editor-in-chief Maya GuglinPublisher website
Editorial board by country: none in mainland China; most named United States 10, Switzerland 1, Slovenia 1 (12 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Mechanical Circulatory Support DevicesEngineering36%
- Transplantation: Methods and OutcomesMedicine17.6%
- Tissue Engineering and Regenerative MedicineMedicine4.9%
- Congenital Heart Disease StudiesMedicine4.2%
- Respiratory Support and MechanismsMedicine4.2%
- Cardiac Structural Anomalies and RepairMedicine3.9%
- Heart Failure Treatment and ManagementMedicine3.4%
- Cardiac pacing and defibrillation studiesMedicine3.1%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Not covered
Not covered by this edition.
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Not covered
Not covered by this edition.
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Not covered
Not covered by this edition.
Database indexing
DOAJLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Indexing the journal's website claims
Google ScholarPublisher website
As the journal's website lists them, not checked against each database; for Web of Science editions the records above apply.
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
- h-index
- 6OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 3OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 0OpenAlex ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 0%LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 149 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 5 | 8 |
| 2025 | 2 | 2 | 17 |
| 2024 | 9 | 9 | 28 |
| 2023 | 8 | 8 | 28 |
| 2022 | 12 | 12 | 38 |
| 2021 | 11 | 11 | 25 |
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
- Average review time (community reports)
- about 3 weeksLetPub ·
- Submission to publication (journal-reported)
- about 4 weeksDOAJ ·
- Peer review
- Double anonymous peer reviewDOAJ
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
Diamond open access (no APC)DOAJ
Every article is open access and authors pay no article processing charge.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOAJ | No APC | No | CC BY-NC | |
| OpenAlex | USD 200 | — | — | |
| LetPub | USD 200 | No | — | |
| Publisher website | No APC | — | — |
Other charges and waivers (author guidelines)
- Page charges
- No page charges
- Submission fee
- No submission fee
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 prepare4 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Keywords
- 4–6
- Reference style
- AMA
- First submission
- Free format: the journal's layout is not required
Article types accepted13
- case reportWe will consider unsolicited manuscripts in each category. There is no word limit for any type of publication. Original Research Innovation Review Case Reports …Length not stated
- case reportsCase ReportsLength not stated
- commentariesCommentariesLength not stated
- commentaryWe will consider unsolicited manuscripts in each category. There is no word limit for any type of publication. Original Research Innovation Review Case Reports …Length not stated
- editorialWe will consider unsolicited manuscripts in each category. There is no word limit for any type of publication. Original Research Innovation Review Case Reports …Length not stated
- images (both still and moving)Images (both still and moving)Length not stated
- innovationInnovationLength not stated
- letter to the editorWe will consider unsolicited manuscripts in each category. There is no word limit for any type of publication. Original Research Innovation Review Case Reports …Length not stated
- opinionWe will consider unsolicited manuscripts in each category. There is no word limit for any type of publication. Original Research Innovation Review Case Reports …Length not stated
- opinionsOpinionsLength not stated
- original researchWe will consider unsolicited manuscripts in each category. There is no word limit for any type of publication. Original Research Innovation Review Case Reports …Length not stated
- reviewWe will consider unsolicited manuscripts in each category. There is no word limit for any type of publication. Original Research Innovation Review Case Reports …Length not stated
- systematic reviewWe will consider unsolicited manuscripts in each category. There is no word limit for any type of publication. Original Research Innovation Review Case Reports …Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteCode availability, Data availability, Peer review, Preprints
- Code availability
No dual submission or prior publication in similar form. Model summary
Manuscripts submitted must not be under consideration by another journal and should not have been published elsewhere in a similar form.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Data availability
Reporting guidelines required by study type (CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA, CARE). Model summary
Authors are required to follow established reporting guidelines appropriate to their study type: CONSORT for randomized controlled trials STROBE for observational studies PRISMA for systematic reviews CARE for case reports
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Manuscript Review Process and Outcomes
Typical time-to-first-decision 3-4 weeks; longer if discrepant reviews. Model summary
The VAD Journal initially processes and reviews all papers at the editors' level. A manuscript can be rejected at this level by editorial decision without forwarding it for peer-review. Articles meeting the journal’s editorial standards are sent for peer review to editorial consultants and expert reviewers. All articles will be reviewed by a minimum of two highly qualified reviewers. The journal m…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints
Abstract ≤250 words, structured (Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions) except Images, Comments, Opinions; case reports unstructured. Model summary
All manuscripts with the exception of Images, Comments, and Opinions, MUST contain an abstract of no more than 250 words that briefly summarizes the content. The abstract should be divided into four sections: Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions. For case reports, use unstructured abstract.
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
- Gill Heart Institute, University of Kentucky
- Country or region
- United States
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 2378-2706
- Society / sponsor
- Brano Heart Failure Forum
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗DOAJ
- Author guidelines ↗DOAJ
- Aims & Scope ↗DOAJ
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
- APC information ↗DOAJ
- Open access statement ↗DOAJ
- License & copyright ↗DOAJ
- Peer review process ↗DOAJ
- Editorial board ↗DOAJ
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about The VAD Journal The Journal of Mechanical Assisted Circulation and Heart Failure
How long does peer review take at The VAD Journal The Journal of Mechanical Assisted Circulation and Heart Failure?
Authors report an average review time of about 3 weeks. 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 The VAD Journal The Journal of Mechanical Assisted Circulation and Heart Failure?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Keywords: 4–6; Reference style: AMA; First submission: Free format: the journal's layout is not 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 The VAD Journal The Journal of Mechanical Assisted Circulation and Heart Failure based?
Of the 12 board members whose country the journal's board page names, none are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (10), Switzerland (1) and Slovenia (1). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index The VAD Journal The Journal of Mechanical Assisted Circulation and Heart Failure?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, The VAD Journal The Journal of Mechanical Assisted Circulation and Heart Failure is indexed in DOAJ.
Is The VAD Journal The Journal of Mechanical Assisted Circulation and Heart Failure open access, and what is the APC?
The VAD Journal The Journal of Mechanical Assisted Circulation and Heart Failure is a diamond open-access journal (no APC). It charges no article processing charge.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, OpenAlex, DOAJ, Publisher website; 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 2026-08-26). Last updated: .