Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It has been suggested that cardiovascular disease has not had a prominent place in the public health agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean. Recently there has been momentum toward formation of partnerships between public and private sectors to develop an improved capacity for CVD research. Notwithstanding these efforts, cardiovascular clinical research output in Latin America and the Caribbean has not kept pace with the need to overcome the burden of CVD.

Methods: Bibliometric data for clinical medicine publications and cardiovascular specialties in the region were assessed from 2000 to 2005. Data were compared with previous bibliometric studies.

Results: Scientific output from Latin America and the Caribbean has not increased. In addition, our findings also suggest that Latin American and Caribbean investigators continue to prefer to publish in local and regional journals in languages other than English.

Conclusion: To overcome the expected economic impact of CVD and to diminish the burden of disease in the region it is necessary to raise the priority for funding of CVD research. With support from ethical research foundations, improved quality and quantity of clinical study data with allow for expedited transformation of the productivity of CVD research within Latin America and the Caribbean.