Amiodarone and acupuncture for cardiac arrhythmia: Study protocol for a systematic review

Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Feb;98(7):e14544. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000014544.

Abstract

Background: Amiodarone and acupuncture (AA) are commonly used to treat cardiac arrhythmia (CA). The objective of this systematic review is to assess the efficacy and safety of AA for patients with CA.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of AA for CC will be searched from 9 databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Information, and Wanfang Data from inception to February 1, 2019 without any limitations. Two reviewers will independently screen the relevant papers, extract data, and evaluate the risk of bias for each included study. RevMan 5.3 software will be used for meta-analysis. The primary outcome includes arrhythmic episodes (including time and frequency domain parameters). The secondary outcomes consist of health-related quality of life, oxygen saturation, and safety.

Results: The protocol of this proposed study will provide evidence to judge whether AA is an effective treatment for patients with CA.

Conclusion: The findings of this proposed study will summarize the up-to-date evidence of AA for CA.

Prospero registration number: PROSPERO CRD42019120962.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acupuncture Therapy / adverse effects
  • Acupuncture Therapy / methods*
  • Age Factors
  • Amiodarone / administration & dosage
  • Amiodarone / adverse effects
  • Amiodarone / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Quality of Life
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Research Design*
  • Sex Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Amiodarone