Overview
Submission Instructions
Recent Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Topics
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ES
European Stroke Journal publishes stroke research and will become a fully open access journal from 1 January 2026. Articles submitted from 1 October 2025 will be published open access under a Creative Commons license. The journal is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
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Impact Factor
4.5
Quartile
Q1
Open Access Type
Hybrid
ISSN
2396-9873
eISSN
2396-9881
Invitation Only
No
Cost Range
APC varies by journal title; pricing is listed in the Sage Choice pricing document.
Submission Instructions
European Stroke Journal accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.
Original Research
Cover Letter
A cover letter must be submitted. The cover letter must indicate why the manuscript is suitable for publication and disclose any third-party writing or editing assistance or submission by a non-author on behalf of the authors.
Abstract
A structured abstract is required. The abstract must be structured. The abstract must use the headings Introduction, Patients and methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusion.
Manuscript
The manuscript must not exceed 4,500 words. The manuscript should include a title page and the sections Introduction, Patients and methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Acknowledgements, Declarations, and References. Include keywords and a section headed 'Statements and Declarations' after the Acknowledgements section, with each required subheading present and 'Not applicable' stated under any subheading that does not apply.
References
There is no maximum reference limit. References must follow the Sage Vancouver style. Every in-text citation must have a corresponding reference list entry and vice versa, with identical spelling and year in matched citations.
Figures & Tables
A maximum of 6 tables or figures may be included. Figures, charts, and tables created in Word must be included in the main text, while figures and other files created outside Word must be submitted separately with a placeholder note in the text. Figures must be numbered consecutively, and tables must be editable within Word rather than submitted as images.
Review Article
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. Cover letter must indicate why the manuscript is suitable for publication and disclose any third-party writing or editing assistance or submission made by someone not listed as an author.
Abstract
A structured abstract is required. Abstract must be structured.
Manuscript
Manuscript must not exceed 4,500 words. Manuscript should include a title page, introduction, method, findings, discussion, conclusion, acknowledgements, disclosures, and references. Include keywords, an Author Contributions heading after Acknowledgements, and a Statements and Declarations section after Acknowledgements with all listed subheadings, using 'Not applicable' where needed.
References
There is no maximum reference limit. References must follow Sage Vancouver style. Every in-text citation must have a corresponding reference list entry and vice versa, with identical spelling and year in matching citations.
Figures & Tables
A maximum of 6 tables or figures is permitted. Figures, charts, and tables created in Word must be included in the main text, while figures created outside Word must be submitted separately with a placeholder note in the text. Figures must be numbered consecutively, and tables must be labeled as tables with a number and title and be editable within Word rather than submitted as images.
Randomised Controlled Trials
Cover Letter
A cover letter must be submitted. The cover letter must indicate why the manuscript is suitable for publication and disclose any third-party writing or editing assistance or non-author submission made on behalf of the authors.
Abstract
A structured abstract is required. The abstract must be structured. The abstract must include the headings Introduction, Patients and methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusion, and for clinical trials it must end with the trial registry name and URL and registration number.
Manuscript
The manuscript must not exceed 4,500 words. The manuscript should include a title page and the sections Introduction, Patients and methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Acknowledgements, Declarations, and References. Include keywords after the abstract, an Author Contributions heading after the Acknowledgements, and a Statements and Declarations section after the Acknowledgements and Author Contributions, using all required subheadings and writing 'Not applicable' where needed.
References
There is no maximum reference limit. References must follow Sage Vancouver style. Every in-text citation must have a matching reference list entry and vice versa, with identical spelling and year in corresponding citations.
Figures & Tables
A maximum of 6 tables or figures may be included. Figures, charts, and tables created in Word must be included in the main text, while figures created outside Word must be submitted separately with a placeholder note in the running text. Tables must be editable text rather than images and all figures and tables must be numbered consecutively and include a title.
Other Clinical Trials
Cover Letter
A cover letter must be submitted. The cover letter must indicate why the manuscript is suitable for publication and disclose any third-party writing or editing assistance or non-author submission made on behalf of the authors.
Abstract
A structured abstract must be included. The abstract must be structured. The abstract must include the headings Introduction, Patients and methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusion, and it must include the trial registry name and URL and registration number at the end of the abstract.
Manuscript
The manuscript must not exceed 4,500 words. The manuscript should include a title page and the sections Introduction, Patients and methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Acknowledgements, Declarations, and References. Include keywords and the headings 'Author Contributions' and 'Statements and Declarations' with all required declaration subheadings, stating 'Not applicable' where needed.
References
There is no maximum reference limit. References must follow Sage Vancouver style. Every in-text citation must have a corresponding reference list entry and vice versa, with identical spelling and year in both places.
Figures & Tables
A maximum of 6 tables or figures may be included. Figures, charts, and tables created in Word must be included in the main text, while figures and other files created outside Word must be submitted separately with a placeholder note in the text. Figures must be numbered consecutively, and tables must be editable text with a number and title rather than images.
Systematic Reviews
Cover Letter
A cover letter must be submitted and indicate why the manuscript is suitable for publication. The cover letter must indicate why the manuscript is suitable for publication and disclose any writing or editing assistance by a third party or submission by someone not listed as an author.
Abstract
A structured abstract is required. The abstract must be structured. The abstract should concisely state the purpose of the research, major findings, and conclusions.
Manuscript
Manuscripts generally include an Abstract, Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Acknowledgments, Statements and Declarations section, and References. Include a minimum of 3 keywords after the abstract, an 'Author Contributions' heading after the Acknowledgements section, and a 'Statements and Declarations' section after the Acknowledgements and Author Contributions sections with each listed subheading included and marked 'Not applicable' when relevant.
References
References must follow the Sage Vancouver style. Every in-text citation must have a corresponding reference list entry and vice versa, with identical spelling and year in matching citations.
Figures & Tables
Figures, charts, and tables created in Word must be included in the main text, while figures and other files created outside Word must be submitted separately with a placeholder note in the text. Figures must be numbered consecutively and include a number and title, and tables must be editable in Word, labeled as tables, and include a number and title.
Meta-Analyses
Cover Letter
A cover letter must be submitted and must indicate why the manuscript is suitable for publication. The cover letter must disclose any third-party writing or editing assistance and whether submission was made on behalf of the authors by a non-author.
Abstract
A structured abstract is required. The abstract must be structured. The abstract must include the headings Introduction, Patients and methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusion.
Manuscript
The manuscript must not exceed 4,500 words. The manuscript should include a title page, introduction, patients and methods, results, discussion, conclusion, acknowledgements, declarations, and references. Include keywords, an Author Contributions heading after the Acknowledgements section, and a Statements and Declarations section with all required subheadings, using 'Not applicable' where needed.
References
There is no maximum reference limit. References must follow Sage Vancouver style. Every in-text citation must have a corresponding reference list entry and vice versa, with identical spelling and year in each matched citation.
Figures & Tables
A maximum of 6 tables or figures may be included. Figures, charts, and tables created in Word must be included in the main text, while figures and other files created outside Word must be submitted separately with a placeholder note in the text. Tables must be editable text in Word rather than images and must include a number and title, while figures must be numbered consecutively and include a number and title.
Guideline
Cover Letter
A cover letter must be submitted. The cover letter must indicate why the manuscript is suitable for publication and must disclose any third-party writing or editing assistance or submission by someone who is not an author.
Abstract
A structured abstract must be included between the title and main body of the manuscript. The abstract must be structured.
Manuscript
There is no maximum word limit for Guidelines. Manuscripts generally include an Abstract, Introduction, Methodology, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Acknowledgments, Statements and Declarations section, and References. Include at least 3 keywords after the abstract, an 'Author Contributions' heading after the Acknowledgements section, and a 'Statements and Declarations' section with each listed subheading at the end of the article, using 'Not applicable' where needed.
References
There is no maximum reference limit for Guidelines. References must follow the Sage Vancouver reference style. Every in-text citation must have a corresponding reference list entry and vice versa, with identical spelling and year in both places.
Figures & Tables
Figures, charts, and tables created in Word must be included in the main text, while figures and other files created outside Word must be submitted separately with a placeholder note in the running text. Figures must be numbered consecutively and tables must be editable within Word with a number, title, and header row and/or column.
Letter To The Editor
Cover Letter
A cover letter must be submitted. Cover letter must indicate why the manuscript is suitable for publication and disclose any third-party writing or editing assistance or submission by someone not listed as an author.
Abstract
Abstract is required. Abstract must be structured.
Manuscript
Letter To The Editor must not be divided into sections. Include at least 3 keywords after the abstract, an Author Contributions heading after the Acknowledgements, and a Statements and Declarations section at the end of the article.
References
Letters To The Editor may include a maximum of 5 references. References must follow Sage Vancouver style. Every in-text citation must have a corresponding reference list entry and vice versa, with identical spelling and year in corresponding citations.
Figures & Tables
Letters To The Editor should not include figures, tables, or data supplements.
Recent Publications
Re: Stroke Action Plan for Europe 2018–2030 (SAP-E): mid-term review and update
Sandy Middleton, Christopher Levi, N Wah Cheung, Simeon Dale
10.1093/esj/aakag056
View Publication
Perhaps fewer, but faster: should we rethink the 90% stroke unit admission standard?
Umberto Pensato, Aravind Ganesh, Nishita Singh, Simona Marcheselli, Andrew M Demchuk
10.1093/esj/aakag057
View Publication
Recommendations for studying the safety, efficacy and durability of intracranial aneurysm devices
Victor Volovici, Torstein R Meling, Timo Krings, Philip Taussky, Gary S Collins, Gabriel J E Rinkel, Mervyn D I Vergouwen
10.1093/esj/aakag064
View Publication
ASPECTS as a surrogate marker of core-perfusion mismatch in late-window large vessel occlusion stroke
Pierre Seners, Nicole Yuen, Davide Strambo, Emmanuel Carrera, Mirjam R Heldner, Jean-Marc Olivot, Michael Mlynash, Jeremy J Heit, Elisabeth Dirren, Patrik Michel, Christophe Cognard, Julien Savatovsky, William Almiri, Maarten G Lansberg, Gregory W Albers
10.1093/esj/aakag065
View Publication
Oedema reduction mediates thrombectomy benefit in large core stroke: secondary analysis of the TENSION trial
Gabriel Broocks, Martin Bendszus, Claus Z Simonsen, Götz Thomalla, Elke R Gizewski, Anne Hege Aamodt, Antonin Krajina, Laurent Pierot, Kamil Zeleňák, Blanca Fuentes, Michael D Hill, Andre Kemmling, Lieselotte Vandewalle, Anke Wouters, Robin Lemmens, Jelle Demeestere, Susanne Gellißen, Jens Fiehler, Lukas Meyer, Helge Kniep
10.1093/esj/aakag055
View Publication
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to publish?
Median time to first decision is 9 days and median time from acceptance to online publication is 25 days.
Reformat to European Stroke Journal using Livewrite PremiumIs a cover letter required?
A cover letter is required. It should explain why the manuscript is suitable for publication. If third-party writing or editing assistance was used or a submission is made by someone not listed as an author, this must also be stated in the covering letter.
Reformat to European Stroke Journal using Livewrite PremiumWhat are the publication costs?
APC varies by journal title under the Sage Choice hybrid open access program.
Reformat to European Stroke Journal using Livewrite PremiumResearch Topics
Acute Ischemic Stroke Management
Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
Intracerebral and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Research
Cerebrovascular and Carotid Artery Diseases
Intracranial Aneurysms: Treatment and Complications
Atrial Fibrillation Management and Outcomes
Peripheral Artery Disease Management
Traumatic Brain Injury and Neurovascular Disturbances
Neurological Disorders and Treatments
Venous Thromboembolism Diagnosis and Management
Antiplatelet Therapy and Cardiovascular Diseases
Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
Neurological Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
Blood Coagulation and Thrombosis Mechanisms
Cardiovascular and Diving-Related Complications
Moyamoya disease diagnosis and treatment
Spatial Neglect and Hemispheric Dysfunction
S100 Proteins and Annexins
Cerebrovascular and genetic disorders
Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis
Traumatic Brain Injury Research
Acute Myocardial Infarction Research
Trauma, Hemostasis, Coagulopathy, Resuscitation
Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation