The cardiovascular system at high altitude: A bibliometric and visualization analysis

Abstract

BACKGROUND When exposed to high-altitude environments, the cardiovascular system undergoes various changes, the performance and mechanisms of which remain controversial. AIM To summarize the latest research advancements and hot research points in the cardiovascular system at high altitude by conducting a bibliometric and visualization analysis. METHODS The literature was systematically retrieved and filtered using the Web of Science Core Collection of Science Citation Index Expanded. A visualization analysis of the identified publications was conducted employing CiteSpace and VOSviewer. RESULTS A total of 1674 publications were included in the study, with an observed annual increase in the number of publications spanning from 1990 to 2022. The United States of America emerged as the predominant contributor, while Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia stood out as the institution with the highest publication output. Notably, Jean-Paul Richalet demonstrated the highest productivity among researchers focusing on the cardiovascular system at high altitude. Furthermore, Peter Bärtsch emerged as the author with the highest number of cited articles. Keyword analysis identified hypoxia, exercise, acclimatization, acute and chronic mountain sickness, pulmonary hypertension, metabolism, and echocardiography as the primary research hot research points and emerging directions in the study of the cardiovascular system at high altitude. CONCLUSION Over the past 32 years, research on the cardiovascular system in high-altitude regions has been steadily increasing. Future research in this field may focus on areas such as hypoxia adaptation, metabolism, and cardiopulmonary exercise. Strengthening interdisciplinary and multi-team collaborations will facilitate further exploration of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying cardiovascular changes in high-altitude environments and provide a theoretical basis for standardized disease diagnosis and treatment.