Bibliometric Analysis of the Top 100 Most Cited Publications With the Term "Apheresis" in the Title

Apheresis is a medical procedure used to remove harmful blood components across different disciplines. This bibliometric analysis evaluated the scientific characteristics of the 100 most-cited articles (T100) with the term "apheresis" in the title published between 1975 and 2025.

Data were retrieved from the Web of Science on August 11, 2025, using the keyword "apheresis" in the title field. Among 5765 publications, the T100 articles were identified. Recorded parameters included title, corresponding author, journal, year, total citations, number of authors, adjusted citation index (ACI), and Altmetric score (AmS). Analyses were performed with SPSS 29.0 and VOSviewer.

Publication output increased over time, peaking in 2017 (n = 227). The highest number of annual citations occurred in 2024 (n = 2944). Spearman's correlation demonstrated a significant positive relationship between ACI and AmS (r _s  = 0.665, p < 0.001). The Journal of Clinical Apheresis contributed the largest share of T100 articles. The United States was the most productive country (30%), while no Turkish publications were included. Schwartz J. was the most cited author, with 2653 citations across five studies. Frequently used keywords were "apheresis" (16%), "plasma exchange" (9%), and "immunoadsorption" (8%).

Apheresis research exhibits a dynamic, multidisciplinary structure, with citations peaking years after publication. High-income countries and central institutions dominate scientific output, while contributions from Turkey are absent in the T100. This study highlights key research trends and provides a reference point for future investigations in apheresis.