The primary aim of the European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery is to provide a medium for the publication of high-quality original scientific reports documenting progress in cardiac and thoracic surgery. The journal publishes reports of significant clinical and experimental advances related to surgery of the heart, the great vessels and the chest. Special emphasis is placed on contribution from the European countries. The journal is supported by a number of leading European societies. The European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery welcomes original articles, editorials, case reports, how-to-do-it reports, reviews, Images in cardio-thoracic Surgery, and Letters to the Editor. Papers are submitted to a peer review by the members of Editorial and Advisory Board and by other invited reviewers. Selected papers from the annual meetings of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery are printed in the journal.