Exclusive Interview with Prof. Filippo Crea, Editor-in-Chief of European Heart Journal

The Editorial Office of Vessel Plus is pleased to present an exclusive interview with Prof. Filippo Crea, Editor-in-Chief of European Heart Journal (EHJ), a leading international journal at the forefront of cardiovascular medicine. In this insightful dialogue, Prof. Crea shares his editorial approach, views on the impact of emerging technologies, and perspectives on the future of academic publishing and medical leadership. The interview was conducted by Prof. Aijun Sun, Editor-in-Chief of Vessel Plus.

Interview Questions & Key Highlights

Q1: EHJ has consistently remained a top journal in the global cardiovascular field. In terms of topic planning, peer review, and editorial processes, what core strategies do you believe best ensure the journal's academic quality and influence?
Prof. Crea emphasized that EHJ’s sustained academic impact rests on three pillars: methodological rigor, novelty, and clinical relevance. He noted that high-quality manuscripts should not only address unmet clinical needs but also present findings with the potential to influence real-world medical practice.

Q2: Which emerging technologies (such as AI, gene editing, or cell therapy) do you think hold the greatest potential for clinical translation in cardiovascular research? How does EHJ help shape academic discourse in these areas through topic selection?
Prof. Crea highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) as a key enabler of precision medicine and decision making, RNA-based therapies (e.g., Lp(a)-targeting agents) as revolutionary tools with vaccine-like efficiency, and CRISPR-Cas gene editing as a paradigm-shifting approach to disease correction. EHJ actively contributes to discourse in these fields by prioritizing scientifically sound, translational studies.

Q3: As Editor-in-Chief, what key elements do you value most when screening manuscripts? Could you share a particularly impressive breakthrough study?
Prof. Crea underscored the importance of clarity, scientific robustness, and meaningful impact in manuscript evaluation. While he refrained from citing a single “breakthrough” paper, he noted that EHJ consistently publishes studies that advance both scientific understanding and clinical practice.

Q4: With your many years of expertise in the cardiovascular field, what have been your biggest gains and challenges in transitioning from researcher to Editor-in-Chief?
Prof. Crea described the transition to editorial leadership as highly rewarding, offering a unique opportunity to mentor authors and elevate promising work. However, he also acknowledged the challenge of upholding high standards while providing constructive guidance to submissions that require improvement.

Q5: What career advice would you offer to young scholars aspiring to pursue cardiovascular research and academic publishing?
To early-career scholars, Prof. Crea offered timeless advice: “Be persistent. Embrace criticism. Stay passionate.” He encouraged young scientists to treat setbacks as learning opportunities and reminded them that building a meaningful academic career is a gradual process—“Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

This engaging interview with Prof. Filippo Crea exemplifies the ongoing mission of Vessel Plus to foster international dialogue among leading cardiovascular experts and to promote high-quality, clinically relevant research with strong translational value.

Brief Introduction

Prof. Filippo Crea is a world-renowned cardiologist and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of European Heart Journal, one of the highest-impact journals in cardiovascular medicine. He is Professor of Cardiology and Director of the Department of Cardiovascular and Pneumological Sciences at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome, Italy. Over the past decades, Prof. Crea has made significant contributions to the understanding of ischemic heart disease, coronary microvascular dysfunction, and inflammatory mechanisms in atherosclerosis.

He has authored more than 600 peer-reviewed publications, many of which have appeared in top-tier journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, and Circulation. His H-index exceeds 100, reflecting the global influence of his research.

Prof. Crea is a fellow of numerous prestigious societies, including the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), and frequently speaks at international conferences on emerging technologies and the future of cardiovascular care.

Prof. Aijun Sun, MD, FAHA, FESC, is a professor at Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, and Vice Director of the Shanghai Clinical Center for Cardiovascular Diseases. She is also affiliated with the Key Laboratory of Ischemic Heart Diseases under China’s National Health Commission.

Prof. Sun earned her MD in 2002 and completed postdoctoral training in Germany and the United States. Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of heart failure, especially hereditary factors, mitochondrial metabolism, and immune inflammation. She has discovered new genes related to hereditary heart failure and contributed to the development of new clinical strategies.

Her work is cited in major cardiology guidelines and textbooks. She leads multiple national research grants, has published over 120 papers in top journals, and holds 27 international patents.

Editor: Ada Chen
Language Editor: Catherine Yang
Production Editor: Ting Xu
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of Vessel Plus