Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Remimazolam is a novel benzodiazepine derivative with advantages such as prompt onset, short duration of action, fast recovery, and non-organ dependence. Numerous studies have been conducted on remimazolam. However, bibliometric analysis on high-quality and highly cited articles related to remimazolam is lacking. The objective of this article is to evaluate the current research status and prevailing trends regarding the most frequently cited articles on remimazolam, utilizing bibliometrics. METHODS: Studies related to remimazolam were searched in the Web of Science core database. The search period ranged from the inception of the database to April 2025, and 100 highly cited research articles were selected. The researchers gathered and analyzed pertinent data from the studies and subsequently conducted visual analysis utilizing VOSviewer and CiteSpace. RESULTS: The total number of citations for the top 100 highly cited studies was 6683, published between 2010 and 2024. China, the United States, and the United Kingdom contributed the majority of these studies. These studies were published in 47 different journals. The journal with the highest number of publications was the Journal of Anesthesia. The institution with the highest publication volume was PAION DEUTSCHLAND GMBH in Germany, and the author with the highest contribution was Schippers F. The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and efficacy of remimazolam were the main research directions and focuses in the field. DISCUSSION: Our analysis of the top 100 cited remimazolam papers reveals a rapidly advancing field. The surge in high-quality clinical studies confirms remimazolam's practical edge over older agents, such as propofol, particularly in offering better blood pressure stability for older patients and fewer breathing problems during procedures like endoscopy. While these advantages position it as a strong contender, important questions linger about its use in people with severe liver or kidney issues due to how it is broken down, and its effects on delirium remain unclear. Broadening research globally and focusing on these specific patient groups, as well as long-term safety, will be key to realizing remimazolam's full clinical potential. CONCLUSION: This study analyzed the 100 most frequently referenced articles on remimazolam, providing valuable insights into the characteristics and focal areas of research related to this topic.