# Research trends and hotspots of central sleep apnea: a bibliometric analysis

## TL;DR

This study maps central sleep apnea research trends from 2004 to 2025, identifying key areas like heart failure interactions, mechanisms, and new diagnostic approaches.

## Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of CSA research trends and highlights emerging areas like AI diagnostics and pediatric CSA.

## Key findings

- Annual CSA publications increased significantly after 2016, peaking in 2021.
- Key research areas include CSA-heart failure interactions, mechanisms like chemosensitivity, and clinical management techniques.
- Emerging trends focus on pediatric CSA, pathophysiology, and AI-driven diagnostics.

## Abstract

Central sleep apnea (CSA), characterized by unstable ventilatory control during sleep, poses significant health risks, particularly in patients with cardiovascular comorbidities. This bibliometric analysis evaluated 1,687 CSA-related publications (2004–2025) from the Web of Science Core Collection. Annual publications surged post-2016, peaking in 2021 (115 articles), reflecting growing research interest. The U.S. and Germany dominated contributions, with American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine as the top journal. Keyword analysis revealed three focal areas: CSA-heart failure interactions (e.g., mortality, ejection fraction), CSA mechanisms (e.g., hypercapnia, chemosensitivity), and clinical management (e.g., adaptive servo-ventilation, phrenic nerve stimulation). Emerging trends include pediatric CSA, pathophysiology, and AI-driven diagnostics. International collaboration and multidisciplinary approaches are critical for advancing CSA research. Limitations include database constraints and evolving literature. This study maps CSA research trends, highlights gaps, and guides future investigations into mechanisms, biomarkers, and personalized therapies.