eHealth tools in atrial fibrillation management: An ecological cross-sectional analysis and bibliometric review of research trends and knowledge gaps

Background Effective monitoring is essential for managing atrial fibrillation (AF), and eHealth tools present innovative solutions. However, a comprehensive summary of their application in AF management remains scarce. Objective This study investigates the status, trends, and determinants of eHealth tool utilization in AF management. We utilize bibliometric methods to forecast patterns and assess correlations between economic indicators, network infrastructure, and advancements in this domain. Methods We systematically searched the Web of Science Core Collection for articles on eHealth tools and AF, with a cutoff date of June 11, 2025. We employed bibliometric techniques to analyze publication metrics, including document count, contributing countries, institutions, and keywords, and used linear regression to examine the relationship between publication volume, per capita GDP, and network infrastructure. Results Our search yielded 641 publications since 1998, reflecting significant growth in eHealth research for AF over the past decade across 83 countries and 1593 institutions. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany led in publication volume, primarily from high-income countries. A strong correlation was observed between publication numbers and per capita GDP and network infrastructure. Key authors and journals emerged, with common keywords such as “Mobile health” and “Digital health,” indicating prominent research themes. Conclusions This study highlights the increasing relevance of eHealth tools in AF management. Notable correlations with economic development and network infrastructure underscore their role in advancing eHealth applications, while emerging trends promise future research directions.