Mapping the Evolution of Drug-Coated Balloon Research in Coronary Artery Disease: A 2006–2023 Bibliometric and Visual Analysis

Abstract

Background: Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) have emerged as an innovative technology for coronary artery disease treatment. However, bibliometric research on DCB development trends is still lacking.

Methods: We performed a bibliometric analysis of DCB-related publications from 2006 to 2023, extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Analysis dimensions included temporal publication patterns, distributions of countries/regions and institutions, author and journal productivity/impact, keyword co-occurrence and bursts, collaboration networks, and seminal studies. Visualization tools such as the R package “Bibliometrix,” VOSviewer, and CiteSpace facilitated the graphical mapping of research hotspots.

Result: This bibliometric analysis of 781 DCB-related publications shows an increasing annual output since 2011, exceeding 100 in 2021. Germany, China, Italy, Japan, and the United States were dominant in DCB research, with Germany accruing the highest citation count of 6477. The Technical University of Munich published the most DCB-related papers (n = 22). Bruno Scheller had the highest author productivity (n = 45) and citations (n = 3235). Analyses of keyword co-occurrence showed prevalent foci encompassing “DCB,” “drug-eluting stent,” and “in-stent restenosis.” Newly emerging topics contain “DCB-only strategy” and intravascular imaging.

Conclusion: The research activities on DCB have greatly expanded, with significant advancements in device design and indications. Recent priorities signal a shift towards physiology/intravascular imaging–guided usage and DCB as standalone therapies for more de novo coronary lesions. Ongoing advances will consolidate DCB in guidelines and daily practice. Our analysis provides strategic insights, informing research and clinical directions.