Weaning from mechanical ventilation in ICU patients: research hotspots and trends in the past decade—a bibliometric analysis

Objective: To evaluate the research landscape and emerging trends in weaning from mechanical ventilation in ICU patients, providing insights to inform evidence-based practices in critical care nursing. Design: Bibliometric analysis. Methods: A systematic search identified 5,101 English-language studies published from January 2014 to February 2025 across the Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed, and Scopus. Data were analyzed using CiteSpace 6.4. R1 and VOSviewer to map publication trends, international collaborations, leading authors and institutions, core journals, and keyword clusters. Results: The volume of publications increased notably from 2016, peaking in 2021-2022. The United States, China, and France emerged as the top contributors, with key institutions such as the University of Toronto playing pivotal roles in collaborative networks. Research primarily focused on factors influencing weaning outcomes, evaluation of weaning criteria, and challenges associated with difficult weaning and extubation failure. Moreover, emerging trends emphasize the integration of diaphragmatic ultrasound, the rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI), and machine learning techniques to enhance predictive accuracy and optimize weaning strategies. Conclusion: The evolving research trends highlight a growing emphasis on multimodal assessment and advanced predictive tools in mechanical ventilation weaning. These findings offer valuable guidance for critical care nurses and multidisciplinary teams aiming to refine weaning protocols and improve patient outcomes in intensive care settings.