Editorial by the Founding Editor

Author: Hu, Dayi

When China opened its doors to the world 26 years ago, there were very few cardiology meetings organized in China with an international outlook. Shortly thereafter, in 1990, the Great Wall International Congress of Cardiology (GW-ICC) held its inaugural meeting. In its first few years, the main focus of the GW-ICC was promoting research and education within the Chinese cardiology community, and on promulgating techniques such as catheter ablation of tachyarrhythmias and balloon angioplasty. Even from this early stage, the GW-ICC became a great social and scientific success. The reason for this success was that the GW-ICC offered opportunities for Chinese cardiologists to make direct contact with their US and European colleagues who in turn loved to come to China and learn about the issues facing cardiologists here.

Since that time, the GW-ICC has been at the forefront of the growth in Chinese cardiology research, reflecting China’s growing importance in world research rankings. For example, in 2014, the ISI database shows China to be the third largest source of cardiology-related papers, surpassed only by the United States in first place and the United Kingdom in second place. In the year 2015 up through July, China has moved to second place ahead of the United Kingdom. This trend will certainly continue.

It is evident that China now needs its own English-language, multi-national journal where top-rated articles from around the world can be published.Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications (CVIA), the new, official journal of the GW-ICC will fill this void. Unique to this journal will be the continuation of a scientific exchange of ideas between leading Chinese clinicians/researchers and clinicians/researchers around the globe.

CVIA will initially publish focused articles of original clinical research that explore current and novel developments in cardiovascular disease, as well as its prevention and rehabilitation. In keeping up with its title, CVIA will promote innovations and applications for the global betterment of cardiovascular public health. As CVIA develops and matures, it is aimed to become a respected and trusted reference for the cardiology academic community around the world.