Exosomes are nanoscale extracellular vesicles (EVs) ranging from 30 to 150 nm in diameter, ubiquitously present in various biological fluids such as plasma, urine, saliva, and cerebrospinal fluid.1 As pivotal mediators of intercellular communication, exosomes encapsulate diverse biomolecules, including proteins, microRNAs, messenger RNAs, DNA, and lipids.2 Since their cargo reflects the pathophysiological status of parental cells, exosomes have emerged as highly promising biomarkers,3, 4, 5 and are increasingly utilized in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases,5,6 neurodegenerative diseases,7 immune diseases,8 and other clinical fields.9,10

Accumulating evidence underscores the critical role of exosomes in the pathogenesis and progression of various CVDs, highlighting their potential as diagnostic biomarkers, prognostic indicators, and therapeutic vectors.5,6,11, 12, 13 For instance, a recent study identified plasma exosome-derived SOCS2-AS1 as an independent protective factor against coronary artery disease (CAD), suggesting its utility as a novel diagnostic biomarker.14 Furthermore, Li et al. conducted a bibliometric analysis to delineate the evolving research landscape of exosomes in heart failure (HF), revealing a surge of interest in exosome-based applications for HF management. Such mapping of research trends is instrumental in guiding future investigations and accelerating advancements in this field.11

Despite significant progress in elucidating the roles of exosomes in CVDs, a comprehensive analysis of research trends and emerging hotspots in this domain remains limited. To address this gap, we employed an integrative bibliometric approach, incorporating literature data governance and analysis system (LDGAS), knowledge matrix visualization system (KMVS), and mapping the structure of science system (MSSS), to systematically evaluate the current state and future directions of exosome research in CVDs.