Key result
Minimally invasive cardiac surgery publications grow ~9% annually in North America.
Why the study?
A comprehensive bibliometric analysis mapping the evolution, collaboration networks, research trends, and future trajectories of minimally invasive cardiac surgery in North America had not yet been conducted.
This bibliometric analysis demonstrates a steady 8.51% annual growth rate in North American minimally invasive cardiac surgery literature over the past 50 years, with continued expansion projected through 2050.
First North American MICS bibliometric map with 2050 forecasts; leaves open translation into trial priorities and practice.
Objective This study provides the first bibliometric analysis of minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) in North America, mapping its evolution, collaboration networks, and research trends while forecasting future scientific trajectories through 2050. Methods We performed a bibliometric analysis of North American MICS literature (1975–2025) using Scopus and PubMed. Data processed using R (bibliometrix and biblioshiny) enabled network mapping, keyword analysis, and predictive modeling. Metrics included publication growth, document types, authorship, collaboration, citations, h‐index, journals, and research topics. Collaboration networks and thematic evolution were visualized. Future MICS output (2030–2050) was forecasted using linear extrapolation with 95% confidence intervals. Results We analyzed 1433 publications (United States: 76.3%; Canada: 23.7%). Original articles comprised 48.7%, and case reports comprised 28.7%, with an 8.51% annual growth rate. Among 4800 authors, 89.9% were male, averaging 5.65 coauthors per paper and 22.2% international collaborations. First authors were mainly faculty–surgeons (67.5%) and fellows (15.3%). Top topics are mitral valve (41.7%) and CABG (28.7%). Leading journals are Innovations (16.0%), Annals of Thoracic Surgery (12.6%), Journal of Cardiac Surgery (5.7%), and JTCVS (5.0%). Key affiliations are Cleveland Clinic (13.8%) and Western University (12.5%). Collaborations were strongest with Italy (43.5%) and Germany (32.8%). Forecasting models predicted an annual output of 79 publications by 2030, 93 by 2040, and 107 by 2050 (95% CI 58–146). Conclusions This inaugural bibliometric analysis of North American MICS outlines five decades of growth, projects continued expansion to 2050, and offers a strategic foundation for future research, funding, and collaboration.
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Cubas et al. (2026) conducted a review in Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (n=1,433). Minimally invasive cardiac surgery literature was evaluated on Bibliometric trends including publication growth, document types, authorship, and research topics. A bibliometric analysis of 1,433 North American publications on minimally invasive cardiac surgery demonstrated an 8.51% annual growth rate, with output projected to reach 107 publications by 2050.
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