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Meta-Analysis
. 2021 Feb;44(2):151-159.
doi: 10.1002/clc.23531. Epub 2020 Dec 16.

Association of premature ventricular complexes and risk of ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Pongprueth Rujirachun  1 , Phuuwadith Wattanachayakul  1 , Prawut Phichitnitikorn  1 , Nipith Charoenngam  2 , Jakrin Kewcharoen  3 , Arjbordin Winijkul  4
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Association of premature ventricular complexes and risk of ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Pongprueth Rujirachun et al. Clin Cardiol. 2021 Feb.

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that patients with premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) may have a higher risk of ischemic stroke. However, the data are limited and inconclusive. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between PVCs and the risk of ischemic stroke. A comprehensive literature review was conducted by searching for published articles indexed in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from inception through September 25, 2020, to identify studies that compared the risk of ischemic stroke between patients with PVCs and individuals without PVCs. Pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method of Dersimonian and Laird. A total of four observational studies (2 prospective and 2 retrospective cohort studies) with 42 677 participants met the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. We found that patients with PVCs have a significantly higher risk of ischemic stroke than individuals without PVCs with the pooled RR of 1.31 (95% CI, 1.07-1.60, I2 = 43%). From our systematic review and meta-analysis, we found that PVCs are associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke. Whether this association is causal and how it should be addressed in clinical practice require further investigations.

Keywords: ischemic stroke; meta-analysis; premature ventricular complex; risk factor.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no personal or professional conflicts of interest, and no financial support from the companies that produce and/or distribute the drugs, devices, or materials described in this report.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Flow‐chart of the literature review process
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Forest plot of the meta‐analysis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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