Methods
This meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We performed a comprehensive search of electronic databases for all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) from inception to March 2020 (BK and TS). The keywords used (VT OR ventricular tachycardia OR ventricular tachyarrhythmia) AND (catheter ablation OR radiofrequency ablation OR radiofrequency catheter ablation OR RFA OR ablation therapy). No language restriction was used. We excluded studies that were observational in design and/or not yet peer-reviewed and published. The risk of bias of the included trials was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool.
The primary outcome was the frequency of appropriate device therapies defined as shocks or anti-tachycardia therapy. Secondary outcomes included appropriate device shocks, inappropriate device shock, sustained VT/VF, any death, cardiac death, arrhythmic death, and cardiac hospitalization during follow-up. Tertiary outcomes included quality-of-life and was assessed using the short-form 36 (SF-36) patient-reported outcome. We used a random-effects model to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and standardized mean differences (SMD) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using an inverse variance method. Heterogeneity was evaluated using theI2 statistic. Publication bias of the primary outcome was assessed using funnel plot analysis.