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Intensive Care Medicine

Intensive Care Medicine is the official journal of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine and provides a premier platform for the communication and exchange of cutting‑edge research and ideas across the field of intensive care medicine. It is intended for professionals involved in intensive medical care, including intensivists, medical specialists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, and aims to advance understanding and practice in Europe and beyond. The journal publishes a wide array of content, including review articles, original research papers, letters, reviews, debates, and more, ensuring comprehensive coverage of topics relevant to the intensive care community.

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Subject Critical Care Medicine, Critical Care Medicine
Impact Factor 21.2
Quartile Q1
Open Access Type Hybrid
ISSN 0342-4642
eISSN 1432-1238
Invitation Only No

Submission Instructions

Intensive Care Medicine accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.

Original Paper

Cover Letter A cover letter should explain any requested exceptions to word/figure/reference limits, disclose prior conference presentations, and note trial registration and protocol details when applicable. It is not explicitly required for all submissions but is used to convey these disclosures to the editors.
Title Page Include a separate title page with the manuscript title; full author names; institutional affiliations (department, institution, city, state, country); corresponding author’s email; and ORCID iDs if available.
Abstract A structured abstract (150–250 words) is required with Purpose, Methods, Results, and Conclusion. Add the trial registration number and date as the last line when applicable. A minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 keywords must be present.
Key Points Provide a 65-word Take-Home Message that succinctly states how the work advances current knowledge. This will be published with the paper.
Main Manuscript Headings No specific section headings are mandated, but a clear, logical structure is expected. Ensure methods include ethics/IRB and consent statements where applicable and RCTs conform to CONSORT.
Reference Format Use numeric in-text citations in square brackets and number the reference list consecutively; include DOI links when available and use standard journal title abbreviations. A maximum of 30 references are permitted.
Figures Embed figures within the manuscript text in sequence; if file size prevents upload, submit large figures separately. Provide high-resolution files in accepted formats (e.g., EPS/TIFF). A maximum of 5 tables and/or figures are permitted.
Tables Number tables in order and cite them sequentially in the text with descriptive titles and footnotes as needed. Prepare tables to fit within an A4 portrait width. A maximum of 5 tables and/or figures are permitted.
Additional Documents Include the appropriate EQUATOR checklist; CONSORT checklist/flow diagram for RCTs; IRB/ethics approval and informed consent statements; trial registration details and protocol citation; ICMJE disclosure forms for all authors; and permissions for reused material.
Word Count A maximum word limit of 3,000 words is permitted.
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Narrative/Scoping Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Meta-Analysis

Cover Letter A cover letter should justify any requested exceptions to length or illustration limits and may note registration and protocol details. Not explicitly required for all submissions.
Title Page Provide a title page listing the manuscript title, all authors, affiliations, corresponding author contact, and ORCID iDs if available.
Abstract An abstract of up to 250 words is required. Structure is not specified, but ensure it concisely summarizes the question, methods, and key findings. A minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 keywords must be present.
Key Points Provide a 65-word Take-Home Message highlighting the key implications of the review or meta-analysis.
Main Manuscript Headings Specific headings are not mandated. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses should follow PRISMA structure (e.g., Methods, Results, Discussion) and include details of registration and protocols.
Reference Format Use numeric in-text citations in square brackets with a consecutively numbered reference list; include DOI links when available. A maximum of 75 references are permitted.
Figures Embed figures within the manuscript; submit separately only if file size prevents upload. Ensure appropriate formats and resolution per artwork guidelines. A maximum of 5 tables and/or figures are permitted.
Tables Include numbered tables with captions and footnotes; cite sequentially in text and prepare to fit A4 portrait width. A maximum of 5 tables and/or figures are permitted.
Additional Documents Include PRISMA checklist/flow diagram (for systematic reviews/meta-analyses), PROSPERO registration details, appropriate EQUATOR checklist, ICMJE disclosures, and permissions for reused content.
Word Count A maximum word limit of 4,000 words is permitted.
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Editorial

Cover Letter Editorials are commissioned; if submitting an invited editorial, include any necessary disclosures in your submission correspondence.
Title Page Provide a title page with the title, author names, affiliations, and corresponding author contact details.
Abstract Abstracts are not required for Editorials.
Key Points Key points or take-home messages are not required for Editorials.
Main Manuscript Headings No specific headings are prescribed; present a concise, well-structured commentary.
Reference Format Use numeric in-text citations in square brackets with a consecutively numbered reference list (up to 15 references).
Figures Include one mandatory table or figure; embed within the manuscript or provide as a separate high-quality file per artwork specifications.
Tables One table or figure is mandatory; if using a table, number and caption it and cite it in the text.
Additional Documents ICMJE disclosure forms for all authors; permissions for any reused material.
Word Count A maximum word limit of 1,000 words is permitted.
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Recent Publications

Feeding the injured brain: nutrients, dose, timing, and monitoring

Yaseen M. Arabi, Christian Stoppe, Michael P. Casaer, Emma J. Ridley, Jean Reignier, Hasan M. Al-Dorzi, Filippo Annoni, Jean-Charles Preiser

10.1007/s00134-026-08324-6
View Publication

EU preparedness and ICU capacity: where are the beds?

Claudia Ebm, Jan J. De Waele, Maurizio Cecconi

10.1007/s00134-026-08335-3
View Publication

An unusual cause of shock in the ICU

Anaïs Curtiaud, Pierre De Marini, Mickael Ohana, Hamid Merdji

10.1007/s00134-026-08350-4
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Tell me I am dying

Cheralyn Hendrix

10.1007/s00134-026-08358-w
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Ten methodological aspects to look for when critically reading randomized-controlled trials

Antoine Kimmoun, Audrey de Jong, Daniele Poole

10.1007/s00134-026-08372-y
View Publication

Frequently asked questions

Is Intensive Care Medicine open access?

Intensive Care Medicine is a hybrid journal, offering both traditional subscription-based publishing and open access options. Authors can choose to make their articles open access by paying an Article Processing Charge (APC).

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What is the impact factor of Intensive Care Medicine?

The 2024 Journal Impact Factor (JIF) for Intensive Care Medicine is 21.2. The impact factor is a measure of the frequency with which the average article in a journal has been cited in a particular year, and is often used as a proxy for the relative importance of a journal within its field.

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What is the time to publication for Intensive Care Medicine?

Submission to first decision (median) is 4 days.

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Does Intensive Care Medicine require a cover letter?

Cover letters are used to communicate important disclosures and requests, such as explaining exceptions to length or figure limits, disclosing prior conference presentations, and providing trial registration/protocol details when applicable. While not explicitly required for every submission, authors are encouraged to include a cover letter to address these points and any reuse of material.

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How much does it cost to publish in Intensive Care Medicine?

The journal follows a hybrid publishing model with an optional Open Choice route. Open Choice articles remain under author copyright and are published under the CC BY-NC 4.0 license. Specific APC amounts are not listed on this page. Color figures are published free of charge online. Authors select the publishing model and arrange any associated payments after acceptance.

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Research Topics

Respiratory Support and Mechanisms Sepsis Diagnosis and Treatment Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation Intensive Care Unit Cognitive Disorders Hemodynamic Monitoring and Therapy