A bibliometric and visual analysis of implantable cardioverter defibrillator use in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: 2000–2025

OBJECTIVE: The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is an effective therapeutic option for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, a comprehensive quantitative synthesis in this field remains limited. This study aims to analyze the research landscape of ICD application in HCM from 2000 to 2025. METHODS: Publications related to ICD use in HCM were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection between January 1, 2000, and November 3, 2025. Data were visually analyzed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace. RESULTS: A total of 864 publications from 251 countries/regions met the inclusion criteria, with the United States contributing the most. *Circulation* was identified as the most frequently cited journal in this field. Keyword cluster analysis revealed that research hotspots primarily focused on "hypertrophic cardiomyopathy," "sudden cardiac death," and "implantable cardioverter defibrillator." Furthermore, keyword burst analysis indicated that current research frontiers center on terms such as "outcome" and "association." CONCLUSION: The field of ICD application in HCM has matured and is now on the verge of a paradigm shift. Future research should focus on refining risk prediction models, evaluating long-term patient outcomes, and addressing challenges posed by novel targeted therapies.