Global Research Trends and Current Status of Xenotransplantation: A Bibliometric Analysis

Xenotransplantation has garnered significant attention in recent years, characterized by substantial progress and rapid developments within the field. The objective of this study was to investigate the evolving trends and emerging research hotspots in xenotransplantation through a comprehensive bibliometric analysis. We conducted an analysis of literature published between 1980 and 2025, sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection. Data processing, analysis, and visualization were performed using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, the Bibliometric R package, and Scimage Graphica. A total of 7880 articles spanning 45 years were included in the analysis. The United States emerged as the predominant contributor to the field, both in terms of article output and institutional involvement. Professor David K. C. Cooper was identified as the leading author, with the highest number of publications on xenotransplantation. The journal Xenotransplantation was found to be the most prolific in terms of article publication. Key research hotspots identified through this analysis include the selection of gene-editing strategies for pigs, the use of genetically modified pigs as donors for various cells, tissues, and organs, as well as the focus on clinical trials and translational studies aimed at advancing xenotransplantation.