From mitochondrial injury to organelle communication: a bibliometric analysis of mitochondria-associated membranes research in cardiovascular diseases

Background and Objective Mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) are specialized contact sites between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria that regulate calcium homeostasis, energy metabolism, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dynamics, and cell fate. Increasing evidence indicates that MAM dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of this field is still lacking. This study aimed to systematically characterize the knowledge structure, research hotspots, and emerging trends of MAM research in CVDs. Materials and Methods Publications related to MAMs in CVDs were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). Bibliometric analyses were performed using CiteSpace and VOSviewer. A PubMed sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the robustness of the findings. Results A total of 864 publications were included. Annual publications increased steadily, with rapid growth after 2013. China produced the largest number of publications, whereas the United States showed the greatest academic influence and international collaboration. Keyword analyses identified mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, cell death, and heart failure as the major research themes. Timeline and burst analyses further revealed a shift from studies of mitochondrial injury and apoptosis to investigations of mitochondrial dynamics, metabolic regulation, and inter-organelle communication. In recent years, mitophagy, dynamics, inflammation, metabolism, and contact sites have emerged as the most active research frontiers. The PubMed sensitivity analysis showed broadly consistent publication trends, author profiles, and research themes, indicating that the main findings were generally stable across the two databases. Conclusion This study systematically mapped the knowledge landscape and developmental trajectory of MAM research in CVDs. The field has evolved from focusing on oxidative stress and mitochondrial injury to emphasizing mitochondrial quality control, metabolic regulation, and organelle communication. Mitophagy, metabolic reprogramming, inflammatory signaling, and membrane contact site biology are likely to remain major research frontiers. These findings provide a comprehensive overview of the field and may facilitate future mechanistic studies and the development of MAM-targeted therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases.