ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy of irbesartan combined with amiodarone versus amiodarone alone for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
MethodsWe electronically searched databases including PubMed, CENTRAL, EMbase, VIP, CNKI and WanFang Data to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about irbesartan combined with amiodarone versus amiodarone alone in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation from 2000 to 2014. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software.
ResultsA total of nine studies involving 998 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:Compared with the amiodarone group, the left atrial diameter was smaller (MD=-1.49, 95% CI -1.82 to -1.15), and the maintenance rates of sinus rhythm were higher (OR=3.02, 95%CI 2.21 to 4.11) in the irbesartan plus amiodarone group after 12 months.
ConclusionCurrent evidence indicates that the combination treatment of irbesartan and amiodarone for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is better than amiodarone alone in delaying the enlargement of left atrial diameter, as well as the maintenance of sinus rhythm. Due to limited quantity and quality of the included studies, more high quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
