Global research trends on chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: a bibliometric analysis (January 2000–January 2024)

Background: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), a progressive disease, can lead to decompensation of the right half of the heart and death. Studies on CTEPH have increased in number over the last two decades. This study aimed to perform a bibliometric analysis of the global scientific output on CTEPH in the last 24 years to identify research trends and hot topics.

Methods: We searched the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) Science Citation Index Expanded (Science Citation Index Expanded and Social Sciences Citation Index) for literature on CTEPH published from January 1, 2000 to January 31, 2024, and recorded their information. The Bibliometrix software package was used for bibliometric indicator analysis, and VOSviewer and CiteSpace were used to visualize trends and hotspots of CTEPH research.

Results: Overall, 2,264 publications were included in the bibliometric analysis. The number of annual publications increased drastically from 14 in 2000 to 199 in 2023. The number of publications on CTEPH has increased over the last two decades, with 24.4% (n=553) of the publications published in top academic journals. The United States ranked first in publications and had the best CTEPH-investigating institutions; it also had the highest level of international cooperation. Distinctively, 7 of the top 10 institutions and 7 of the top 10 researchers in the field were from Europe with the most influential scientists. A relatively high percentage of the publications were published in top-rank academic journals, especially in respirology and cardiology journals. Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) was the main therapy during the first decade, while balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)-targeted medicine have recently gained interest. Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT), right ventricular function, and the role of pulmonary endothelium in microvasculopathy have become the focus of CTEPH research.

Conclusions: The number of publications on CTEPH has increased over the last two decades, and CTEPH has become a significant topic in both respirology and cardiology. Our results indicate that future research in this field will continue to focus on elucidating the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this disorder, improving diagnostic accuracy, and developing novel imaging techniques. The integration of existing therapeutic modalities and the elucidation of right ventricular dysfunction are key areas of research.