Comparison 1. First‐line diuretics versus active comparators: primary outcomes.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1.1 Total mortality	16		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
1.1.1 vs beta‐blockers	5	18241	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.96 [0.84, 1.10]
1.1.2 vs calcium channel blockers	7	35417	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.02 [0.96, 1.08]
1.1.3 vs ACE inhibitors	3	30961	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.00 [0.95, 1.07]
1.1.4 vs alpha adrenergic blockers	1	24316	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.98 [0.88, 1.09]
1.1.5 vs angiotensin II receptor blockers	1	655	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.32 [0.01, 7.88]
1.1.6 vs direct renin inhibitors	1	1124	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.34 [0.01, 8.31]
1.2 Total serious adverse events	3		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
1.2.1 vs calcium channel blockers	2	7204	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.09 [0.97, 1.24]
1.2.2 vs direct renin inhibitors	1	1124	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.86 [0.49, 1.50]
1.3 Total cardiovascular events	15		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
1.3.1 vs beta‐blockers	4	18135	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.88 [0.78, 1.00]
1.3.2 vs calcium channel blockers	6	35217	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.93 [0.89, 0.98]
1.3.3 vs ACE inhibitors	3	30900	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.97 [0.92, 1.02]
1.3.4 vs alpha adrenergic blockers	2	24396	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.74 [0.69, 0.80]
1.3.5 vs angiotensin II receptor blockers	2	1047	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.47 [0.25, 8.79]
1.4 Total stroke events	14		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
1.4.1 vs beta‐blockers	4	18135	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.85 [0.66, 1.09]
1.4.2 vs calcium channel blockers	6	35217	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.06 [0.95, 1.18]
1.4.3 vs ACE inhibitors	3	30900	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.89 [0.80, 0.99]
1.4.4 vs alpha adrenergic blockers	2	24396	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.86 [0.73, 1.01]
1.4.5 vs angiotensin II receptor blockers	1	655	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.90 [0.12, 70.96]
1.5 Total coronary heart disease	15		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
1.5.1 vs beta‐blockers	4	18135	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.91 [0.78, 1.07]
1.5.2 vs calcium channel blockers	6	35217	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.00 [0.93, 1.08]
1.5.3 vs ACE inhibitors	3	30900	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.03 [0.96, 1.12]
1.5.4 vs alpha adrenergic blockers	2	24396	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.98 [0.86, 1.11]
1.5.5 vs angiotensin II receptor blockers	2	1047	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.98 [0.14, 6.95]
1.6 Total congestive heart failure	8		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
1.6.1 vs beta‐blockers	1	6569	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.69 [0.40, 1.19]
1.6.2 vs calcium channel blockers	6	35217	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.74 [0.66, 0.82]
1.6.3 vs ACE inhibitors	2	30392	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.94 [0.84, 1.04]
1.6.4 vs alpha adrenergic blockers	1	24316	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.51 [0.45, 0.58]
1.7 Withdrawals due to adverse effects	16		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
1.7.1 vs beta‐blockers	5	18501	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.78 [0.71, 0.85]
1.7.2 vs calcium channel blockers	7	33908	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.81 [0.75, 0.88]
1.7.3 vs ACE inhibitors	3	25254	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.73 [0.64, 0.84]
1.7.4 vs alpha adrenergic blockers	3	24772	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.70 [0.54, 0.89]
1.7.5 vs angiotensin II receptor blockers	2	1047	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.05 [0.91, 4.58]
1.7.6 vs direct renin inhibitors	1	1124	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.39 [0.88, 2.20]
1.7.7 vs CNS‐acting drug	1	366	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.16 [0.05, 0.53]