Bibliometric Analysis of microRNA: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Its Contribution to Acute Coronary Syndromes

This study employs bibliometric analysis to map the evolution, identify emerging trends, and evaluate key research themes in microRNA (miRNA) research related to Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS). By analyzing global publications, we aim to highlight hotspots and translational directions for advancing miRNA applications in ACS diagnosis and therapy.

Articles on miRNA and ACS published between 2007 and 2023 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Data from 1,244 eligible studies were analyzed using CiteSpace and VOSviewer to assess contributions by countries, institutions, authors, journals, and keywords. Visualization tools mapped collaboration networks, co-citation patterns, and keyword trends.

China contributed 60% of publications, followed by the United States (12.86%). Harbin Medical University was the most productive institution, while Thum Thomas emerged as the leading researcher. Key research areas included miRNA biomarkers for ACS diagnosis, therapeutic targets for ischemia-reperfusion injury, extracellular vesicles in cardiac repair, and mechanistic studies on apoptosis, autophagy, and inflammation. Emerging frontiers encompassed ventricular remodeling post-AMI, oxidative stress, and clinical translation of miRNA-based strategies.

This study provides the first comprehensive bibliometric overview of miRNA research in ACS, revealing sustained growth and interdisciplinary potential. Findings underscore China's dominance in output and the need for enhanced international collaboration to bridge gaps between basic research and clinical applications. Prioritizing extracellular vesicle-mediated therapies, optimizing miRNA delivery systems, and validating biomarkers in multicenter trials are critical for future advancements.