Abstract
Climate, conflict and conservation of resources currently impact on everyone in some form, regardless of their local situation. At the European Stroke Journal we aim to contribute constructively in any way possible. Printing and distributing paper copies of the journal carries a significant burden in cost, in energy, in consumption of paper and water and in time before the published issue reaches subscribers. ESJ has always been readily accessible online but we have now taken the decision in close consultation with the ESO Executive Committee to move ESJ to a purely digital form, starting from the next issue, in 2023. By distributing ESJ issues in NXTBook format, all of the advantages of the printed volume will be retained, but from 2023 our subscribers will be able to carry, read and even search all of their issues everywhere they go, on a mobile device or computer. They will receive their copy immediately, the issue will not be delayed or mislaid in transit, and we will be conserving diminishing resources. Online First publication will continue, of course.
This follows on from the news in our previous editorial about listing of the European Stroke Journal in the Science Citation Index, with its first Impact Factor of 5.9, and our announcement that we will expand the content of the journal from 2023. The pilot scheme with visual abstracts has been well received and so will be formalised. These developments are strengthening our journal’s ability to communicate the valuable research results that you each contribute. Improving our knowledge of stroke, and doing so as broadly and swiftly as possible, will help us all to reach the goals of the Stroke Action Plan for Europe. 1
In the current issue, you will find a review on present evidence informing the choice between direct acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC) treatment versus vitamin K antagonists for stroke prevention in cervical artery dissection; multiple studies that strengthen understanding or indicate potential routes for optimisation of endovascular treatment for acute stroke; several studies that expand our knowledge on the heart in stroke patients; and a description of a tablet-based screening tool designed to detect subtle post-stroke cognitive impairments within 30 min. Also, you will find the protocol of the Early versus Late initiation of direct oral Anticoagulants in post-ischaemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillatioN (ELAN) trial, which addresses the important clinical dilemma around optimal timing of initiation of DOAC treatment in patients with ischaemic stroke associated with atrial fibrillation.
Refreshing leadership, encouraging younger colleagues and promoting diversity are core tenets of ESO’s philosophy. These bring opportunity and loss in equal measure. Behind the scenes and in collaboration with the ESO Young Stroke Physicians’ group, we will shortly commence a mentoring programme for younger colleagues to enhance their peer review skills. The obverse side of the coin is that skilled and valued leaders must routinely step aside to make way for fresh faces. Sadly, Karin Klijn completes her full term as our vice editor in December 2022. Over the last 6 years, she has worked alongside Bo Norrving, Didier Leys and now me (KL) and deserves substantial credit for the success of the journal. On behalf of ESO, ESJ and our readers, I extend my warm thanks to Karin for her advice and support, and very best wishes. A call for applications for the vice editor role was announced in August 2022 and we hope to announce an appointment in the following issue.