Global trends and research hotspots in transcatheter valve replacement for aortic regurgitation: a bibliometric and...

Transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as a pivotal intervention for aortic regurgitation(AR), garnering significant attention over the past two decades. Despite the proliferation of research in this domain, a comprehensive synthesis of the extant literature remains lacking, especially regarding large-scale randomized trials and long-term follow-up data. This study aims to elucidate the evolving landscape and current focal points of TAVR in the context of AR through advanced text mining and knowledge mapping techniques over the past 20 years and to project future development prospects.

A systematic retrieval of medical literature regarding TAVR for AR was conducted within the Web of Science database's Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), encompassing publications from 2004 to 2023. Analytical tools performed bibliometric and visualization analyses, including Microsoft Excel, CiteSpace, Bibliometrics, and VOSviewer.

The analysis encompassed 2,189 publications across 200 journals, revealing a consistent upward publication volume and citation frequency trend. Notably, Leon, Martin B, Webb, John G, and Rodes-Cabau, Josep emerged as the most prolific scholars, while Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions ranked as the journal with the highest output. Geographically, the United States, Germany, and Italy led in publication output. The top 10 institutions with the most considerable influence were all from the European and American countries. A cluster analysis of the 169 keywords with a frequency exceeding 20 occurrences emphasized integrating procedural innovation, patient-specific risk assessment, and long-term outcome evaluation, highlighting the evolving priorities in advancing TAVR therapy for AR. Furthermore, operative techniques, valve device systems, and bioengineering technologies are likely to emerge as key research directions for the future treatment of AR with TAVR.

This study is the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis of TAVR for AR, offering insights into health-oriented research trends. Despite advancements in clinical studies, minimally invasive surgical techniques, and bioengineering, prioritizing translational research to address patient health outcomes remains critical. Bridging innovation and clinical practice is vital to optimize therapeutic efficacy, improve quality of life, and reduce AR's global health burden. Future research should integrate multidisciplinary approaches to enhance TAVR's safety, accessibility, and long-term health benefits for diverse populations.