Ultrasound in Pulmonary Embolism: A Bibliometric Analysis of Trends and Hotspots (1978-2025)

Ultrasound has become a crucial diagnostic tool in managing pulmonary embolism (PE). This study aimed to analyze research trends in ultrasound utilization for PE to reveal advancements and future directions for improved diagnostics. We performed a comprehensive search for publications concerning the application of ultrasound in PE from 1978 to 2025 within the Web of Science Core Collection database. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and R version 4.5.2. A total of 3731 publications from 789 sources were included, authored by 18,408 authors and citing 49,730 references. Publication output showed sustained growth (average annual growth rate 11.04%), peaking in 2021 (176 publications). The USA ranked first in productivity and impact (24.8% of publications; 33,705 total citations (TCs)), followed by China and Japan in publication volume. Harvard University was the most productive institution (365 publications). Chest had the highest journal h-index (h=50) and strongest co-citation link strength. Goldhaber SZ was the most influential author by h-index and TCs. Keyword analysis revealed a thematic shift from early emphasis on traditional diagnostic testing to recent hotspots emphasizing risk stratification, prognostic evaluation, validation, and a strong guideline/society recommendation focus. Research on ultrasound in PE has grown rapidly over the past decades, led by the USA and major academic centers, with increasing international collaboration. The field has evolved from foundational diagnostic techniques toward evidence-validated, guideline-driven approaches that prioritize risk stratification and prognosis, supporting more standardized and integrated PE management pathways.