Research

Latest Impact Factor places the journal first in the specialty and in the 95th percentile of surgery journals overall.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery is now ranked first among cardiothoracic surgery journals based on the latest Journal Impact Factor. The ranking also places the journal in the 95th percentile of surgery journals overall and is the highest Impact Factor in its history.

The Journal Impact Factor is a widely used measure of how frequently on average articles published in a journal are cited by other researchers within two years of publication. It is among the most widely recognized of several indicators used to assess a journal's influence.

"It's a key milestone for the journal," said Editor-in-Chief Joanna Chikwe, MD, chair of the Department of Cardiac Surgery in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. "For many years, The Annals has been the primary journal cardiothoracic surgeons tend to read and submit their work to. So, seeing it ranked first in the specialty is a great reflection of the quality of that work and the care that goes into the review process."

The editorial team receives more than 3,000 manuscript submissions each year. Fewer than 10% of original research articles are accepted for publication in The Annals, with approximately 15 to 20 appearing in each monthly issue following editorial assessment and scientific peer review. Dr. Chikwe said the ranking reflects the contributions of the journal's international community of authors, reviewers, and editorial board members.

"Peer review depends on people giving their time and expertise," she said. "Our reviewers help strengthen the science, our editorial board provides thoughtful guidance, and our authors choose The Annals for some of their most important work. This recognition belongs to that community of volunteers who make the journal possible while balancing busy clinical and academic careers."

The journal has also launched the Annals Peer Reviewer Academy, a mentorship program designed to train early-career cardiothoracic surgeons in scientific peer review. The inaugural program received over 45 applications for ~10 available spots.

In 2025, articles published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery during the previous four years received approximately 13,000 citations. Based on those citation metrics, the journal also ranked ahead of leading journals, including JAMA Surgery.

"We'll continue to focus on publishing compelling research, guidelines, clinical cases and reviews across adult cardiac, thoracic, and congenital heart surgery," Dr. Chikwe said. " Our north star is contributing to better patient care, in a landscape that science and technology are transforming."

Top 10 Cited Articles from The Annals of Thoracic Surgery in 2025

In this short video, STS members exchange viewpoints on a new study that found patients with postoperative PE had increased 30-day mortality, reintubation, and readmission rates, which was presented at the 2024 STS Annual Meeting.

Robbin Cohen, MD, Cedars-Sinai at Huntington Hospital, is joined by the study’s lead author, Andrea L. Axtell, MD, MPH, an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Michael Smith, MD, Norton Thoracic Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center, and John Mitchell, MD, University of Colorado Health, to discuss the research methodology, findings and impact on improving patient care.