Methods	Randomisation was based on a computer-generated random-number table and done according to a sequential allocation schedule that was generated by an investigator not involved in treatment assignment. Desmopressin and placebo were administered intravenously as colourless fluids from unlabelled syringes, aspirated in a separate room and transported to the operating room by one of the investigators (not masked to treatment assignment)
Participants	101 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery in whom clot ratios were abnormal (i.e. hemoSTA-TUS-derived clot ratios were <60% of maximum in channel 5) were randomly assigned to one of two groups Desmopressin (DDAVP) group: n = 50; M/F = 30/20; mean age (+/−SD) = 64 (10) years. Placebo group: n = 51; M/F = 34/17; mean age (+/−SD) = 66 (10) years.
Interventions	DDAVP group received 0.4 ug/kg of DDAVP intravenously over 30 minutes. Placebo group received a corresponding volume of normal saline. NB: A proportion of DDAVP and placebo patients received epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) 50% and 61% respectively. EACA was given at the discretion of the managing physician. EACA was administered as follows: 5 g loading dose, 5 g in the CPB circuit, and 1g/hr infusion
Outcomes	Amount of allogeneic blood transfused (units) Fresh frozen plasma transfused (units) Platelets transfused (units) Blood loss (mls) Mortality (n) Myocardial infarction (n) Re-operation for bleeding (n) Any thrombosis (n)
Notes	Quality assessment score (Schulz criteria): 5/7 Transfusion of RBC was at the discretion of the managing physicians
Risk of bias
Item	Authors’ judgement	Description
Adequate sequence generation?	Yes	Randomisation was based on a computer-generated random-number table
Allocation concealment?	Unclear	B - Unclear
Blinding? All outcomes	Yes	Double blind.