Bibliometric analysis of research hotspots in coronary artery CT fractional flow reserve for diagnosing myocardial ischemia in coronary artery disease
摘要
This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to map the global research landscape, identify evolving hotspots, and forecast future trends in the application of coronary computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) for diagnosing myocardial ischemia in coronary artery disease (CAD).
MethodsA systematic literature search was performed in the Web of Science Core Collection for publications from 2015 to 2025, using an expanded strategy combining CT-FFR terms with synonyms for myocardial ischemia and CAD. Bibliometric data visualization and analysis were conducted using CiteSpace and VOSviewer to examine publication trends, national/institutional contributions, collaborative networks, core journals, keyword co-occurrence, and citation bursts.
ResultsFrom an initial retrieval of 730 records, 582 eligible publications (405 articles, 117 reviews) were included. Annual publication output showed sustained growth with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The United States led in publication volume (n = 231) and total citations, followed by China in output (n = 143), though with lower average citation impact. International collaboration was prominent, with the US, China, and Italy forming central hubs. JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging was the leading journal in both output and influence. Keyword analysis confirmed "Fractional Flow Reserve," "Coronary Artery Disease," and "Diagnostic Performance" as core themes. Burst detection revealed a clear evolution: early research (2015–2018) focused on technical validation (e.g., "dual source ct"), while recent trends (2022–2025) shifted towards clinical integration, with strong bursts for "stable chest pain," "diagnosis," and "coronary computed tomography angiography."
ConclusionThis bibliometric analysis delineates a dynamic and growing CT-FFR research field, marked by a transition from technological exploration to clinical guideline-directed application. The findings highlight distinct geographic patterns of productivity and influence, and clarify the evolution of research priorities towards personalized, ischemia-guided patient management. Future research is anticipated to focus on multimodal integration with plaque and perfusion imaging, artificial intelligence-driven workflow solutions, and evidence generation in complex patient cohorts to solidify clinical adoption.