Background: The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiac imaging has rapidly evolved, offering enhanced accuracy and efficiency in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases. This bibliometric study aimed to evaluate research trends, impact, and scholarly output in this expanding field. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on 14 August 2024 using the Web of Science Core Collection database. VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Biblioshiny were utilized for data analysis. Results: The findings revealed a significant increase in publications on AI in cardiovascular imaging, particularly from 2018 to 2023, with the United States leading in research output. England and the United States have emerged as central hubs in the global research network, highlighting their role in generating high-quality and impactful publications. The University of London was identified as the top contributing institution, while Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine was the most prolific journal. Keyword analysis highlighted machine learning, echocardiography, and diagnosis as the most frequently occurring terms. A time trend analysis showed a shift in research focus toward AI applications in cardiac computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with recent keywords like ejection fraction, risk, and heart failure reflecting emerging areas of interest. Conclusion: Healthcare providers should consider integrating AI tools into cardiovascular imaging practice, as AI has demonstrated the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve patient outcomes. This study highlights the rising importance of AI in personalized and predictive cardiovascular care, urging healthcare providers to stay informed about these advancements to enhance clinical decision-making and patient management.
Triglyceride-glucose index as a marker in cardiovascular diseases; a bibliometric study and visual analysis
Objective: This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index in relation to cardiovascular disorders. Methods: Data for the analysis were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection database on 13 July 2024. We utilized VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Biblioshiny tools for the analysis. Results: The study revealed a marked increase in research outputs on the TyG index in recent years, peaking with 137 publications in 2023. China emerged as the leading contributor, followed by the USA. The Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College were among the top contributing institutions. Shouling Wu and Shuohua Chen emerged as the leading authors, with the journal Cardiovascular Diabetology publishing the most articles on this topic. Keyword analysis identified “insulin-resistance” as the most frequently occurring term, followed by “risk.” Cluster analysis identified eleven key research areas, including “percutaneous coronary intervention,” “obesity indicators,” “arterial stiffness,” and “heart failure.” Conclusion: This bibliometric analysis highlights the expanding role of the TyG index in metabolic and cardiovascular research. Key clusters such as percutaneous coronary intervention, obesity indicators, arterial stiffness, heart failure, new-onset hypertension, predicting outcomes, and subclinical coronary artery disease emphasize its wide applicability across diverse clinical settings. The keyword “risk” was the most frequently occurring term, underscoring the importance of the TyG index in cardiovascular risk assessment, alongside its growing use in prognostic applications. These findings reflect the increasing recognition of the TyG index as a pivotal biomarker in cardiovascular medicine and encourage further exploration of its clinical integration.
Stone heart syndrome: A curious case of digoxin toxicity and calcium infusion
Key Clinical MessageStone heart syndrome has a complex interaction with digoxin toxicity, where, theoretically, the administration of intravenous calcium can worsen a patient's condition. Research on this subject is conflicting, so it is imperative to approach it cautiously.
A Contemporary Review of Blood Transfusion in Critically Ill Patients
Blood transfusion is a common therapeutic intervention in hospitalized patients. There are numerous indications for transfusion, including anemia and coagulopathy with deficiency of single or multiple coagulation components such as platelets or coagulation factors. Nevertheless, the practice of transfusion in critically ill patients has been controversial mainly due to a lack of evidence and the need to consider the appropriate clinical context for transfusion. Further, transfusion carries many risk factors that must be balanced with benefits. Therefore, transfusion practice in ICU patients has constantly evolved, and we endeavor to present a contemporary review of transfusion practices in this population guided by clinical trials and expert guidelines.