Trends and Evolution in Coronary Microcirculation Research: A Bibliometric Analysis From 2004 to 2023

Abstract

Background:                 

The coronary microcirculation system, a complex network of small blood vessels, plays a crucial role in regulating the myocardial blood flow to ensure adequate myocardial perfusion. Coronary microcirculation dysfunction has become a significant focus of myocardial ischemia research. This study aimed to review and analyze global research trends and hotspots in coronary microcirculation over the past 20 years through bibliometric analysis and visualization techniques, providing new perspectives for researchers and clinicians.

Methods:

We systematically searched the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) for literature on coronary microcirculation published between 2004 and 2023. GraphPad Prism v8.0.2 was used to analyze annual publication volume, country distribution, and proportion. CiteSpace (version 6.2.4R) and VOSviewer (version 1.6.18) were employed to mine the data and generate scientific knowledge maps to visualize research hotspots.

Results:

A total of 2,463 publications were analyzed, including 2,011 research papers and 452 review articles. Global research activity on coronary microcirculation has steadily increased, with a notable increase from 2018 to 2023. The United States produced the most research, with the University of Amsterdam as the most active institution. High-quality research has been published in journals such as the "American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology" and "Circulation," the latter being highly cited. The key research theme was coronary microvascular dysfunction. Keyword burst analysis indicates that "microvascular dysfunction," "impact," "outcome," "pathophysiology," "international standardization," "ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)," and "diagnostic criteria" will be future research focuses.

Conclusion:

The coronary microcirculation is crucial for cardiovascular disease research. Future studies should focus on identifying therapeutic targets for coronary microvascular dysfunction, developing early prevention strategies, and exploring new research directions. International collaboration is essential to advance this field.