Study designs of evaluations included in the review
The authors did not specify what types of trials were eligible for inclusion. Abstracts were excluded from the review. The review included four post hoc analyses of large trials, and it appears that an additional four were randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies that evaluated the addition of an ACE inhibitor or ARB (e.g. trandolapril, enalapril, valsartan, losartan, lisinopril, irbesartan) versus placebo or routine treatment (e.g. matenolol, amiodarone) were eligible for inclusion. Dosages were provided.
Participants included in the review
The authors did not specify what participants were eligible for inclusion. All of the studies included participants with some degree of left ventricular dysfunction. The majority of the participants were older men. Some patients had hypertension.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Studies that reported the incidence of new-onset AF, rate of successful DCC, or recurrence of AF were eligible for inclusion. Definitions of these outcomes were provided. Studies that reported new-onset AF were excluded if it was not possible to differentiate whether patients with a history of AF were included in the final count of AF cases.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors did not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many reviewers performed the selection.