Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyMeta-analysis
Heterogeneity of outcomes reporting in catheter ablation trials for ventricular tachycardia: a systematic review
- Systematic review and meta-analysis
- meta-regression
- PRISMA
- Safety outcomes were inconsistently reported
Authors' conclusion
Outcome definition in VT ablation trials showed substantial heterogeneity, limiting cross-trial comparability and meta-analytic synthesis.
Study context
- Population
- Prospective studies (≥10 patients) of VT ablation, January 2000 to November 202459 studies
- Comparison
- Outcome definitions across VT ablation trials and registries
- Outcome
- Outcome definitions and their impact on reported success and complications
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Heterogeneity of outcome definitions
Studies included: 15 randomized trials, 6 feasibility studies, 38 prospective studies/registries
59
Failure rate, any VT recurrence definition
51.0%
Failure rate, VT-causing therapy definition
37.3%
Failure rate, VT-causing shock only definition
23.4%
Further pooled results
| Outcome | HR (95% CI) |
|---|---|
| VT recurrence, prophylactic vs delayed ablation (pooled RCT subgroups) · CI as printed | 0.63 (46–0.86) |
VT recurrence, prophylactic vs delayed ablation (pooled RCT subgroups)
- No difference in hospitalization or mortality
Original publication
Heterogeneity of outcomes reporting in catheter ablation trials for ventricular tachycardia: a systematic review. Europace. Published 2 February 2026. doi:10.1093/europace/euaf272
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it