Bibliometric analysis of venous thromboembolism in the elderly using CiteSpace and VOSviewer

doi:10.5246/jcps.2026.03.019

Abstract

Abstract:

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a major global health concern, contributing to an estimated one million deaths annually and imposing a considerable strain on healthcare systems worldwide. Its incidence escalates dramatically with advancing age, with elderly individuals exhibiting heightened vulnerability due to the accumulation of comorbidities and age-related physiological changes. In the present study, we systematically analyzed research trends in VTE among older adults by mining the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) for publications spanning January 1, 2009 to June 24, 2024. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were employed to map the scientific landscape, encompassing publication volume, geographical distribution, institutional output, authorship networks, and thematic evolution through keyword analysis. A total of 15 437 articles met the inclusion criteria. The United States emerged as the most prolific contributor, with Harvard University standing out as the leading research institution. Among individual researchers, Rosendaal FR of Norway was identified as a key thought leader in this domain. The Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis was recognized as the most influential publication outlet. Keyword centrality and citation burst analyses revealed that recent scholarly attention increasingly converged on pharmacologic interventions and outcome prediction in elderly VTE patients. This study provided a comprehensive overview of the global research trajectory on VTE in the aging population, highlighting shifting priorities and suggesting a future emphasis on optimizing therapeutic approaches and implementing robust preventive strategies for this high-risk demographic.

Key words: Bibliometrics, Venous thromboembolism, Elderly, Anticoagulant, Prophylaxis

Supporting:

Jingjing Chen, Jianjie Ju, Jingting Wang, Limei Yang. Bibliometric analysis of venous thromboembolism in the elderly using CiteSpace and VOSviewer[J]. Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2026, 35(3): 275-291.

Figures/Tables 9

Table 1. The search strategy of WOSCC.

Table 2. The top 10 prolific authors. The H-index measures a scholar’s influence and output based on their publications and citations.

Table 3. The top 10 of journals with the highest number of articles.

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