2.4. Data Extraction and Outcomes
We assessed and extracted data on study characteristics, patients’ baseline data and data regarding study outcomes independently by two investigators with verification for accuracy by two other investigators. The investigators looked for information on the sources of funding for individual studies included in the review, but it was not required to be reported. Digitizing software was used to recover graphically presented data. For RCTs, we extracted n/N data. For NRSI, we intended to extract adjusted effect measures; however, out of the 3 identified studies, one provided no relevant quantitative data, while the other two reported adjusted proportions (estimated probabilities from multivariate models). Where necessary, study authors were contacted to obtain additional information.
The primary outcomes were recurrence of AF and mortality after 12-month follow-up. The secondary outcomes included aortic cross-clamp time (XCT), cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, rate of MV repair and duration of preoperative AF.