Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for inclusion in the review.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies on the use of EDTA chelation therapy were eligible for inclusion. In the included studies, where stated, EDTA was administered in intravenous saline or glucose solution for 20 treatments over 5 to 10 weeks, and the control groups received saline or distilled water. In some studies, vitamins or minerals were also administered to both groups.
Participants included in the review
Studies on people at risk of CVD were eligible for inclusion. The participants in the included studies were people with ischaemic heart disease, angina or intermittent claudication. No further information about the included participants was given.
Outcomes assessed in the review
No inclusion criteria for the outcomes were given. The outcomes measured in the included studies were exercise tests, electrocardiogram (ECG) evaluation, subjective evaluation of symptoms of angina, ankle brachial indices, digital subtraction angiogram, transcutaneous oxygen tension and plasma concentrations of cholesterol. Adverse effects were also reported.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
Two reviewers independently assessed studies for inclusion. Any disagreements were resolved with the help of a third reviewer.