Schurr 2001.

Study characteristics
Methods	Single‐centre, prospective, randomised controlled trial Run‐in period: August 1999 and November 2000 Registration date: study published in 2001 Number of study centres and locations: single centre, authors from University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Participants	A total of 50 adults undergoing primary isolated CABG Mean age: 64 years Sex (female/male ratio): 0.16 Low‐risk patients (elective CABG) Inclusion criteria: elective CABG, both sexes Exclusion criteria: participants with insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus, peptic ulcer history, malignant tumours, immunologic deficiencies, renal or hepatic insufficiency, and COPD
Interventions	Group A (n = 24): 10 mg/kg MPSS (Solu‐Medrol; Pharmacia & Upjohn AG, Duebendorf, Switzerland) intravenously 4 hours before the operation Group B (n = 26) served as a control.
Outcomes	Preoperative blood samples (10 mL) were taken before the administration of 10 mg/kg body weight MPSS, delivered 4 hours before induction of anaesthesia. Postoperatively, blood samples were collected after 24 hours, 48 hours, and on the sixth POD. The following measurements were taken: IL‐2R, IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐α, and the soluble adhesion molecules sE‐selectin and sICAM‐1. Medical history, demographic data, and the clinical course were analysed for each participant. Postoperatively, fluid balance; haemodynamic measurements; time on respirator; blood loss; occurrence of AF; renal, hepatic, and coagulation disorders; and pulmonary infection requiring antibiotic treatment were registered, as well as the duration of ICU stay and hospitalisation.
Notes
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Authors state that participants were randomised, but process was not described: "…Fifty patients undergoing elective coronary operations under normothermic CPB were randomized into two groups".
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	No details given around concealment of allocation
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	No blinding of participants and personnel described
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	No clear details given
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Low risk	No trial group changes, no withdrawals, and no losses to follow‐up were reported, but no intention‐to‐treat analysis. Data from all the participants were included in the final analysis.
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	High risk	Some prespecified outcomes are not reported, i.e. IL‐8, IL‐2, and sICAM‐1 authors state "…were also reduced, but again the difference did not reach statistical significance", but no values are reported.
Other bias	Unclear risk	No statement provided with regard to possible conflict of interest