Research trends of MicroRNAs in atherosclerosis: a bibliometric and visualized analysis

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a leading cause of stroke and cardiovascular diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AS. This study aims to identify research hotspots and developmental trends in the field of miRNAs and AS through a bibliometric approach. Relevant literature on miRNAs and AS published between 2007 and 2024 was systematically retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database. The data were then analyzed and visualized using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, R, and the Bibliometrix package. A total of 2,617 publications authored by 13,058 researchers from 2,351 institutions across 71 countries/regions were included. These articles were published in 605 academic journals. China emerged as the most productive country in terms of research output. Specifically, Fernandez-Hernando Carlos was identified as the most prolific and influential author in this field. International Journal of Molecular Sciences had the highest number of publications, while Circulation Research received the most citations. Emerging research areas such as circular RNAs (circRNAs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) have recently become new hotspots in the field. This bibliometric study provides a comprehensive overview of the key research themes and future directions of miRNA related studies in atherosclerosis. The findings offer valuable insights for identifying potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis.