Six RCTs (n = 320) were included in the review. Mean follow up was 6.17 months (range one to 12 months). Target vessel restenosis and cumulative cardiac events did not differ between groups (pooled relative risk 1.03, 95% CI: 0.68 to 1.55 for restenosis and 0.88, 95% CI: 0.55 to 1.4 for cumulative cardiac events). Heterogeneity was not significant.
Significant heterogeneity was detected for left ventricular ejection fraction and the weighted mean difference suggested no significant difference between groups. A sensitivity analysis involving the five placebo-controlled trials gave a similar result and heterogeneity was no longer significant. The funnel plot and Egger's test did not suggest significant publication bias.