Methods	Methods of randomisation and allocation concealment were not described
Participants	100 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were randomised to one of two groups Desmopressin (DDAVP) group: n = 50; M/F = 19/31; mean (+/−SD) age = 55 (13) years. 2. Placebo group: n = 50; M/F = 25/25; mean (+/−SD) age = 53 (12) years.
Interventions	DDAVP group received 0.3 ug/kg of intravenous DDAVP (maximum 20 ug) administered in 50 ml saline solution over 15 minutes on the completion of CPB and immediately after the administration of protamine. Placebo group received a solution similar in appearance to the trial drug (DDAVP). The placebo solution was administered intravenously over 15 minutes on the completion of CPB and immediately after the administration of protamine.
Outcomes	Amount of allogeneic blood transfused (units) Blood loss (ml) Mortality (n)
Notes	Quality assessment score (Schulz criteria): 4/7 Transfusion protocol not specified.
Risk of bias
Item	Authors’ judgement	Description
Adequate sequence generation?	Unclear	Method of randomisation was not described.
Allocation concealment?	Unclear	B - Unclear
Blinding? All outcomes	Unclear	Double blind.