Comparison 1. Propranolol versus placebo.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Systolic blood pressure	18		Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
1.1 (1x starting dose) 60, 80 mg/day	3	222	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐4.67 [‐8.13, ‐1.21]
1.2 (2x starting dose) 120, 160 and 180 mg/day	13	592	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐12.15 [‐14.61, ‐9.69]
1.3 (4x starting dose) 240 and 320 mg/day	6	99	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐21.01 [‐25.43, ‐16.58]
1.4 (8x starting dose) 480 and 640 mg/day	2	205	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐4.31 [‐9.60, 0.97]
2 Diastolic blood pressure	18		Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
2.1 (1x starting dose) 60 and 80 mg/day	3	222	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐3.28 [‐5.60, ‐0.95]
2.2 (2x starting dose) 120, 160 and 180 mg/day	13	592	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐8.51 [‐8.00, ‐7.03]
2.3 (4x starting dose) 240 and 320 mg/day	6	99	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐13.91 [‐16.74, ‐11.09]
2.4 (8x starting dose) 480 and 640 mg/day	2	205	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐3.03 [‐6.06, 0.00]
3 Heart rate	12		Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
3.1 (1x starting dose) 60 and 80 mg/day	2	196	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐7.30 [‐9.49, ‐5.12]
3.2 (2x starting dose) 120 and 160 mg/day	9	497	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐11.54 [‐12.95, ‐10.13]
3.3 (4x starting dose) 240 and 320 mg/day	5	85	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐18.38 [‐20.93, ‐15.84]
3.4 (8x starting dose) 640 mg/day	1	108	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐10.0 [‐12.76, ‐7.24]
4 Pulse pressure	18		Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
4.1 (1x starting dose) 60 and 80 mg/day	3	222	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐1.45 [‐4.79, 1.88]
4.2 (2x starting dose) 120, 160 and 180 mg/day	13	618	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐2.52 [‐4.25, ‐0.79]
4.3 (4x starting dose) 240 and 320 mg/day	6	99	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐2.96 [‐6.50, 0.58]
4.4 (8x starting dose) 480 and 640 mg/day	2	205	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐2.29 [‐8.42, 3.83]
5 Direct comparison 2x doses	3		Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
5.1 Systolic blood pressure	3	222	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐3.01 [‐5.91, ‐0.11]
5.2 Diastolic blood pressure	3	222	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐1.53 [‐3.38, 0.32]
5.3 Heart rate	2	196	Mean Difference (Fixed, 95% CI)	‐3.37 [‐5.55, ‐1.20]