Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: insights from the 100 most cited papers: a bibliometric perspective

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a multifaceted and progressive condition that has experienced substantial advancements in research. This study undertook a bibliometric analysis of the 100 most frequently cited articles pertaining to CTEPH to delineate the most influential contributions within the field. The objective was to elucidate significant research trends, identify critical areas of focus, and inform future research trajectories.

Relevant literature was selected from the Web of Science core collection. The analysis utilized a combination of advanced bibliometric tools: Microsoft Excel 2019, VOSviewer 1.6.20, CiteSpace 6.3.R1, and R 4.3.3.

The publication timeframe extends from 1973 to 2021, during which a peak citation count of 28,460 was recorded. Germany and the USA emerge as the predominant contributors to the body of published articles. Assistance Publique Hopitaux Paris (APHP) emerged as the leading institution, with a total of 30 publications. This was closely followed by the University of California San Diego and the University of California System, each with 28 articles. These articles were disseminated across 38 distinct journals, with the European Respiratory Journal leading in publication volume. Simonneau, Gerald is identified as the most prolific first author, contributing 12 articles. Keyword analysis reveals that early research on CTEPH primarily focused on foundational concepts and established clinical practices, as evidenced by terms such as "pulmonary thromboendarterectomy" and "management". Recently, there has been a notable and sustained shift towards advanced diagnostic methodologies, with "computed tomography" emerging as a focal point of research.

CTEPH research has demonstrated rapid growth and increasing international collaboration over the past two decades, with evolving priorities from surgical management to holistic, patient-centered, and precision medicine approaches. These findings provide a roadmap for future research directions, emphasizing the need for early detection, individualized therapies, and continued innovation in both diagnostics and treatment.