Research focus and theme evolution on enhanced external counterpulsation: A bibliometric analysis.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP) is a non-invasive circulatory support technology.
• Understanding research trends in EECP is crucial for advancing its clinical application and efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key research areas and evolving trends in Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP).
• To provide comprehensive insights into the current landscape of EECP research.

Main Methods:

• A bibliometric analysis was performed using Web of Science (WoS) database data up to March 31, 2024.
• Tools such as HistCite Pro, GunnMap, BibExcel, and VOSviewer were utilized for data extraction, analysis, and visualization.
• Keyword co-occurrence and author co-citation network analyses were conducted.

Main Results:

• A total of 535 entries were identified, with 491 relevant to EECP research.
• The USA and China were the most prolific countries, with Sun Yat Sen University being the top institution.
• Four main research foci emerged: EECP application in cardiovascular disease, indications, mechanisms, and therapeutic effects.

Conclusions:

• The study identified four primary research clusters within EECP literature.
• This analysis aids researchers in understanding current trends and identifying research gaps in EECP.
• Further research is encouraged to advance the field of EECP.