From legacy to future: A global bibliometric analysis of the Ross procedure over 60 years.

Abstract

BackgroundThe Ross procedure, introduced in 1967, transformed cardiac surgery. This study presents one of the first global bibliometric analyses, to the best of our knowledge, mapping research trends, collaborations, and authorship to identify future directions in this field.MethodsA global bibliometric analysis of Ross procedure publications (1967-2025) was performed using Scopus and PubMed. Data processed in R (bibliometrix, biblioshiny) explored productivity, collaborations, authorship, and thematic evolution. Future publication trends to 2050 were forecast using a linear extrapolation model with 95% confidence intervals.ResultsA total of 2370 Ross procedure publications were identified (1967-2025), showing an 8.1% average annual growth rate. Original articles dominated (65%), followed by reviews/meta-analyses (13.9%) and case reports (13.5%). Among 6228 authors (69.5% male), collaboration averaged 4.9 coauthors/document, with 12.6% international partnerships. The USA (32.3%), the Netherlands (19.3%), and Germany (14.5%) led in productivity. Top institutions were Erasmus University Medical Center (4.3%), Mount Sinai Health System (3.0%), and University Heart Center Lübeck (2.2%). Major journals included Annals of Thoracic Surgery (13.5%), Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (12.2%), and European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (7.6%). Faculty surgeons authored 66% of first-author papers. Main research themes involved allograft reintervention, durability, suture technique, failure, and postoperative complications. Linear regression predicted 164 annual publications by 2050.ConclusionsThis analysis reveals an exponentially increasing and sustained global interest in the Ross procedure, which continues to shape cardiac surgery worldwide. The findings highlight growing research output, robust international collaboration, and a focus on clinical innovation, ensuring ongoing advancements in surgical techniques, patient outcomes, and global cardiovascular surgical excellence.