Arrhythmias & electrophysiology

Heterogeneity of outcomes reporting in catheter ablation trials for ventricular tachycardia: a systematic review

EuropacePublished Systematic review and meta-analysis

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
Methodological detailsmeta-regression, PRISMA, Safety outcomes were inconsistently reported
  • Meta-regression
  • PRISMA
  • Safety outcomes were inconsistently reported

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

OutcomeHR (95% CI)
VT recurrence, prophylactic vs delayed ablation (pooled RCT subgroups)CI as printed0.63 (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

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