J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2026 Jun 25:S1053-0770(26)00507-0. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2026.06.034. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To systematically characterize the global research landscape and emerging trends of enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERACS).
DESIGN: Bibliometric analysis.
DATA SOURCE: Publications were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database, a comprehensive repository of peer-reviewed international literature.
STUDY SELECTION: A total of 725 publications related to ERACS published between 1979 and 2026 were included.
INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Annual publication output increased markedly after 2015, indicating growing interest in ERACS. The United States and Canada were the leading contributors in both productivity and academic influence. Co-occurrence and clustering analyses identified major research themes, including minimally invasive cardiac surgery, multimodal analgesia, perioperative management, and postoperative complications. Temporal keyword analysis demonstrated a transition from early extubation strategies toward comprehensive perioperative care pathways. Despite this expansion, high-quality randomized evidence remains limited.
CONCLUSIONS: This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving research landscape of ERACS. The field is rapidly expanding and shifting toward integrated perioperative care models. However, further high-quality studies are required to strengthen the evidence base and support clinical implementation.
PMID:42463378 | DOI:10.1053/j.jvca.2026.06.034