Traditional Chinese medicine for myocardial infarction: an overview.

OBJECTIVE

This overreview aimed to evaluate the methodological quality and reporting quality of the systematic reviews of Chinese herbal medicine.

METHODS

Electronic literature databases, including the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library two Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Internet and Wanfang database) from inception to November 2011 were searched. Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses of the Chinese medicine for myocardial infarction were included. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers. AMSTAR (Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews) and PRIMSMA Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis were used to assess the methodological and reporting quality of the included systematic reviews.

RESULTS

Ten reviews were included. One SR was concerned with ventricular remodelling after myocardial infarction, one was concerned with hypotension after myocardial infarction, and the rest related to the myocardial infarction. The interpretation of the included systematic reviews was poor.

CONCLUSIONS

A number of systematic reviews have become available, but the therapeutic value of traditional Chinese medicine remains limited.