Applying trial sequential analysis on a negative meta-analysis: Where is the real benefit?

摘要

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been demonstrated to have antiarrhythmic properties. Since previous randomized studies have shown inconsistent results, we performed a meta-analysis to analyze the effect of dietary supplementation with omega-3 PUFA in preventing potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. In our meta-analysis a random effects model was performed and results were expressed in terms of Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) after evaluating for interstudy heterogeneity using I The reported data were extracted on the basis of the intention-to-treat principle. In this study we concluded that supplementation with omega-3 PUFA has no effect on the incidence of sudden cardiac death or ventricular arrhythmias.