Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery: A Bibliometric Analysis With Emphasis on Perioperative and Anesthetic Practice.

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.