Myocardial infarction and lung cancer research from 1995 to 2026: a WoSCC- and PubMed-based bibliometric analysis

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) and lung cancer frequently coexist within the broader context of cardio-oncology, yet the development, contributors, and thematic evolution of this research interface have not been comprehensively mapped. This study aimed to characterize the bibliometric landscape, collaboration patterns, thematic structure, and temporal evolution of MI and lung cancer research and to identify clinically relevant evidence gaps. Methods: English-language articles and reviews published from 1995 through June 2026 were retrieved independently from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and PubMed. WoSCC served as the primary dataset for citation, collaboration, co-occurrence, co-citation, and thematic analyses, whereas PubMed was used for supplementary validation using biomedical indexing and Medical Subject Headings. Bibliometric analyses were performed using R/Bibliometrix, CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Microsoft Excel. Results: After screening, 2,274 WoSCC records and 1,326 PubMed records were included. The annual growth rates were 0.91% and 3.35%, respectively. The United States contributed the largest publication output in both databases, followed by China, although the United States showed a stronger international collaboration profile. Harvard University led WoSCC institutional output, whereas Harvard Medical School ranked first in PubMed. PLoS One was the most productive WoSCC source, while the European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery ranked first in PubMed. Thematic analyses identified mortality, cardiovascular risk, smoking, thromboembolic complications, and clinical outcomes as persistent core topics. Over time, research emphasis shifted from smoking, epidemiology, and conventional cardiovascular risk toward cardio-oncology, cardiotoxicity, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, anticoagulation, thromboembolism, and treatment-related adverse events. Conclusions: Research at the MI-lung cancer interface has expanded substantially and increasingly reflects the cardiovascular implications of contemporary lung cancer care. Future work should prioritize prospective multicenter studies, standardized cardiovascular endpoints, and integrated strategies for risk assessment, surveillance, and management in patients with lung cancer who are vulnerable to ischemic cardiovascular events.