Knowledge mapping of macrophage and its role in aneurysm from 1999 to 2022: A bibliometric analysis

Abstract

Background: Various factors play crucial roles in aneurysm development and prognosis. Macrophages have recently emerged as a major research focus. Despite the numerous studies on the role and function of macrophages in aneurysm pathogenesis, no bibliometric analyses have focused on this topic. Objective: This study aimed to analyze articles related to macrophages and aneurysms to reveal trends, hotspots, and new frontiers in macrophage-related aneurysm research. Methods: We retrieved and incorporated 1211 articles from the Science Citation Index Expanded database of the Web of Science Core Collection between 1999 and 2022. The data were analyzed and visualized using CiteSpace and VOSviewer, and Microsoft Excel 2019 was used to plot the data. Results: The most influential articles were published between 1999 and 2022, with a total citation count of 43870. This study encompassed a comprehensive analysis of 74 research directions. The year with the highest number of publications was 2021 when 109 articles were published. 'ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY' journal has made significant contributions by publishing the highest number of articles (99 articles), while funding support primarily came from the National Institutes of Health and United States Department of Health and Human Services. The United States exerted a substantial influence within this field, with a total publication count of 453 publications and the highest centrality value (0.63). Recent studies have focused on understanding the developmental processes underlying aneurysms and devising preventive measures to effectively impede disease progression. Conclusions: Our analysis demonstrates the rapid growth in research exploring the relationship between macrophages and aneurysms over the past two decades. Continued exploration and collaboration among different specialties and manufacturers will facilitate innovative approaches for effective management strategies that target patients with diverse forms of aneurysms.