Open AccessThe Effect of Aldosterone Antagonists for Ventricular Arrhythmia: A Meta‐Analysis
Author(s) -
Wei Jiafu,
Ni Juan,
Huang Dejia,
Chen Mao,
Yan Shaodi,
Peng Yong
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.20762
Subject(s) - medicine , ventricular tachycardia , cardiology , coronary artery disease , relative risk , sudden cardiac death , heart failure , randomized controlled trial , meta analysis , myocardial infarction , confidence interval
Background Sudden cardiac death (SCD) from cardiac arrest, one of the most common types of cardiac‐related death, is most often triggered by ventricular arrhythmia (VA). It has been reported that aldosterone antagonists (AAs) have the benefit of reducing SCD in patients with heart failure (HF). It also has been indicated in animal experiments and clinical trials that AAs may have an antiarrhythmic effect. Hypothesis AAs have an effect on VA in patients with HF or coronary artery disease. Methods We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Current Controlled Trials, and the National Research Register, and identified randomized controlled trials on the effect of AAs on VA. Results All together, 7 trials with a total of 8635 patients were identified and extracted. AAs reduced the risk of SCD in patients with HF by 21% (relative risk [RR]: 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.67–0.93). AAs significantly reduced the episodes of ventricular premature complexes (mean difference 705 ± 646 episodes per 24 hours). Risk of ventricular tachycardia was reduced by 72% (RR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.10–0.77). Conclusions The additional administration of AAs in patients with HF or coronary artery disease shows a benefit in reducing the risk of SCD and may also be effective for reducing episodes of ventricular premature complexes and ventricular tachycardia. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The work was supported by grants from the Chinese National Nature Science Foundation (grant numbers 30600607 and 30770877, Beijing, China), and the National High‐tech Research and Development Program of China (2006AA02A406, Beijing, China).