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
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Interventions |
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 |
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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) |
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Notes | Quality assessment score (Schulz criteria): 5/7 Transfusion of RBC was at the discretion of the managing physicians |
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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. |