Top-100 Highest-Cited Original Articles in Ischemic Stroke: A Bibliometric Analysis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Clinical Research
• Bibliometrics

Background:

• The impact of scientific research is often measured by citation counts.
• Understanding highly cited articles in ischemic stroke research can illuminate historical contributions and future directions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize the top 100 most cited articles in the field of ischemic stroke.
• To analyze publication trends, research topics, and institutional contributions of these influential works.

Main Methods:

• A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science citation search tool.
• Articles were sourced from 934 journals publishing original ischemic stroke research.
• Criteria for inclusion were over 400 citations, with evaluation of publication year, journal, impact factor, citations, topic, country, and institution.

Main Results:

• The top 100 ischemic stroke articles were published between 1970 and 2015, with 47% from the 1990s.
• The median total citations were 625, and median annual citations were 35.7.
• Most articles originated from the United States (57%), focused on medical management (26%), and were published in The New England Journal of Medicine or Stroke.

Conclusions:

• The identified top 100 citation classics provide a historical overview of significant advancements in ischemic stroke research.
• This compilation serves as a valuable guide for understanding academic achievements and directing future scientific progress in stroke.
• The findings highlight key journals, countries, and research areas that have shaped the field.