A chapter closes; reflections from outgoing CVIR Endovascular Editor-in-Chief Prof. Jim Reekers

June 26, 2025

Eight years ago, the CIRSE leadership decided to add a new, online journal to its portfolio – CVIR Endovascular with former CIRSE President Prof. Jim Reekers at its helm. Thanks to his initiative and dedication, the journal quickly found its stride, with the publication of its first article in 2018, and first impact factor in 2022. Since then, the journal has grown into an established platform for sharing practical, high-quality work on endovascular interventions. As the first open access, open peer review journal in the field, CVIR Endovascular has earned a unique place within the CIRSE journal family – championing accessibility, transparency, and international collaboration.

CIRSE Insider: How did the decision come about to create a journal dedicated exclusively to endovascular procedures?

Reekers: Interventional radiology is the primary specialty providing state-of-the-art, minimally invasive endovascular care in Europe and abroad, which is why we saw a steadily growing number of endovascular papers submitted to CVIR. The Journal was growing so fast that, in 2016, it became apparent that in addition to CVIR we needed a second peer-reviewed journal focussing exclusively on endovascular care with the aim to further support the field and to provide a CIRSE led platform for the exchange of scientific and educational content. We wanted a separate digital online journal, not limited by printing or page numbers, giving almost unlimited space to manuscripts submitted directly to CVIR Endovascular as well as to keep papers within the CIRSE journal family, which could otherwise not all be accommodated in CVIR.

When I was approached by the CIRSE Executive Board to take on the role as the Editor-in-Chief of CVIR Endovascular, I was excited by the invitation and was delighted to accept.

CIRSE Insider: What makes CVIR Endovascular stand out?

Reekers: My goal was to make the journal as practical and readable as possible, with papers that could directly be used in daily practice. With this in mind, we like to publish case reports, new technologies, short communications, letters and editorials, in addition to original and review articles. It is therefore even more exciting that the journal is the first ever online IR endovascular journal receiving an impact factor already after five years. Furthermore, I think that being one of the few open peer reviewed journals worldwide is another outstanding achievement. I think this probably makes the journal unique. Our peer reviews have, for this reason, always been very straight and supportive for authors. They serve as a part of the whole publication.

CIRSE Insider: Why did you decide to go for an open access model?

Reekers: Open access is the only model that will survive in our open digital world, as information has to always be available fast and for everybody for free. Medical science should not be hidden behind a paywall or a journal subscription. This will block information being available for all doctors to treat patients.

CIRSE Insider: How did you get the journal off the ground?

Reekers: Hard work, networking, connection to communities and goodwill of many colleagues. And of course, the fantastic support of the editorial office in Vienna. It was not easy and much more work than I could have imagined making this project a success, but after eight years, I think the journal has found its place in the international endovascular experts’ community and the world of IR. We now get papers from all around the world.

CIRSE Insider: What were the most important milestones and how have they affected submissions?

Reekers: The journal immediately started with a good number of submissions and of course being part of the CIRSE family also helped getting started. Getting indexed in the web of science, PubMed Central, and other indexing platforms was a testament to the journal’s quality and value within the endovascular IR field.  Further milestones include, receiving the first impact factor after five years, publication of special issues on trending and relevant topics i.e. women’s health and sustainability in IR, as well as more than 300,000 article downloads per year. The most recent milestone was the publication of the 2024 impact factor, which again increased and now stands at 1.5.

CIRSE Insider: What kind of authors is the journal particularly interesting for?

Reekers: We are looking for practical papers, next to real science and outstanding case reports. We are looking for authors that communicate good endovascular work. I specifically like to receive submissions from young authors and the next generation of IRs and endovascular specialists, who start publishing their first papers: CVIR Endovascular is the right podium for them.

CIRSE Insider: How do you manage to attract the most interesting research?

Reekers: This is indeed not easy, and it needs a lot of personal commitment, going to meetings, talking to presenters, introducing the journal and convincing them to send papers to CVIR Endovascular, also starting discussions on social media and promoting the journal. And inviting authors, offering them a publishing waiver, showing that with open access you can reach and connect to a huge worldwide audience very fast. Being enthusiastic is contagious and will make authors enthusiastic. Having a robust editorial system, fast reviewing times and a global reach also helps.

CIRSE Insider: What are your hopes for the journal as you hand over the baton?

Reekers: We see an increase in submissions from year to year, our current impact factor is 1.5 and my successor Rob Morgan, is a well-connected and very well-known vascular IR, who has been part of the CVIR Endovascular Editorial Board since its beginning.  I am confident that CVIR Endovascular will continue to grow as a leading IR journal. I really hope that the unique open peer review will stay, as for me, this is one of the drivers of success and quality. Transparency and open communications about science are indispensable for medical science to avoid unwanted and external bias. We should never be afraid of the truth.

CIRSE Insider: What’s next for you?

Reekers: This was my last CIRSE project, and I look back, modest, but also with great pride about what we as, a team, have achieved. Since my retirement from the university, I have written a successful non-fiction book in 2023, and I am working on a new book. I always say that I still have to write an opera, a running gag to hide the fact that I have no idea what the future holds for me. One thing is sure; as my friend Jan Peregrin, who sadly passed away recently, always said: You will stay a member of the CIRSE family, forever! I know this is true. So, you still might see me around every now and then. Thanks for everything. It was an honour to be your servant.