A Bibliometric Review and Knowledge Mapping of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Cardiovascular Research

Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) have been detected in human blood and cardiovascular tissues, raising concerns about their potential role in cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the overall research landscape-including knowledge structure, collaboration networks, and evolving trends-remains poorly characterized. This study aims to map the field using bibliometric analysis. Publications from 2017 to 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric analyses (publication trends, country/institution collaboration networks, keyword co-occurrence and clustering, co-citation networks, and burst detection) were performed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Scimago Graphica. A total of 390 publications were analyzed. Annual publication output has grown exponentially since 2022. China, the United States, and Italy are the core contributing countries. Research hotspots center on inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and pollutant exposure. The frontier has shifted from fundamental toxicology toward nanoplastics and specific polymers (e.g., polystyrene) in CVD, as well as their association with clinical outcomes. Emerging foci include cardio-renal comorbidity. To our knowledge, this is the first bibliometric study to systematically map the MNP-CVD research field. The field is moving from mechanistic exploration toward clinical epidemiological research. Future priorities include interdisciplinary collaboration, standardized detection methods, large-scale prospective cohort studies, and mechanism-based targeted interventions. Bibliometric data reflect publication patterns, not causal evidence.