Abstract
BACKGROUND: Insufficient blood flow following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) presents a significant challenge in the management of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This study aims to provide a bibliometric analysis of the research landscape pertaining to the no-reflow phenomenon in STEMI patients who have undergone PCI. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted on the absence of blood flow following STEMI PCI utilizing the Web of Science Core Collection database, covering the period from 2000 to 2025. Bibliometric indicators, co-occurrence analysis, and burst detection were employed through the use of VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and R-bibliometrix tools. RESULTS: The analysis included 1,101 publications authored by contributors from 60 countries and 1,811 institutions. China led in research output, contributing 255 articles, while Heart Center Leipzig GmbH was the most prolific institution. Thiele H, with an H-index of 26, emerged as the most influential author. Journals such as the European Heart Journal and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology served as key platforms for this research. Keyword analysis revealed a shift in research trends, from early disease- and technique-related terms such as "thrombus", "aspiration" and "thrombolytic therapy" to recent terms focused on precision medicine, including "enhancement" and "quantification". CONCLUSIONS: This study comprehensively elucidated global collaboration patterns and the dynamic evolution of research trends in this research field. Keyword analysis revealed a shift in focus from conventional techniques to patient-centered care and personalized treatment strategies in precision medicine. These insights provided valuable guidance for researchers.