Global Trends and Research Hotspots in Vascular Ageing: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis

Background:: Vascular ageing has garnered increasing attention due to the global rise in ageing populations. Despite this, no comprehensive bibliometric analysis on vascular ageing has been conducted to date. Objective:: This study aims to fill that gap by analyzing the landscape of vascular ageing research through a bibliometric approach. Methods:: We retrieved 1,160 articles published between 1900 and 2023 from the Web of Science Core Collection. Using VOSviewer and CiteSpace, we examined publication trends, journal impact, author contributions, citation analysis, and key research themes. Results:: The United States emerged as the leading contributor in publications and international collaborations. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was the most prolific institution. American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology accounted for 3.28% of the publications, while Circulation Research had the highest impact factor. The top three authors by publication volume were Seals DR, Donato AJ, and Ungvari Z. The most cited paper, published in The Lancet in 2002, underscored the significant impact of vascular ageing research. Current research keywords include “ageing,” “hypertension,” “oxidative stress,” “arterial stiffness,” “atherosclerosis,” and “inflammation.” Discussion:: This study delivers a thorough bibliometric analysis of vascular ageing, yielding insights that contribute to scientific progress. It not only helps researchers identify current hotspots within the field but also uncovers promising directions for future investigation. Furthermore, subsequent research can build upon these findings to explore underlying mechanisms, validate emerging trends through experimental approaches, and translate bibliometric insights into clinical applications aimed at age-related vascular dysfunction. Conclusion:: This article offers a comprehensive overview of vascular ageing research. We hope these findings will foster novel insights into the mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for vascular ageing.