Knowledge atlas analysis of virtual vascular interventional studies

Abstract

Objective

To examine the research status, hot spots, and development trend of virtual vascular intervention simulation training in order to organize the knowledge and support its practice.

Methods

Publications on virtual vascular intervention and respective teaching evaluation (2001–2021) were retrieved from Web of Science. Citespace 5.2.R2 and Carrot2 software was used to perform the bibliometric and visual analysis on virtual vascular intervention research networks.

Results

Of the 1543 articles retrieved, 1520 were relevant to virtual vascular intervention research. Studies on vascular intervention emerged from 2002 with an upward trend being observed from 2010. The trend peaked between 2019 and 2020 with ∼140 published articles (9.21%) during the period. Spain published most studies (n = 146) followed by USA (n = 99) and England (n = 49). COMPUT EDUC (n = 177; 14.47%) journal publishing the highest number of articles. Among 705 authors, GARRISON D R, MAYER RE, DEDE C, COOK DA had highest publications. The frequent keywords used were “Virtual reality” (n = 105) and “education” (n = 105). Low cooperation between countries, authors’ networks, and relatively stable academic team was noted making clinical application of virtual vascular intervention weak.

Conclusion

Considerable growth was observed in vascular intervention therapy using VR technology in the last 20 years. With consistent efforts like strengthening cross-institutional and multidisciplinary collaboration networks, VR based simulation training capability can be increased that in turn can improve the outcomes of complex vascular interventions.