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Table 4 Subgroup analysis of outcomes according to study quality

From: Can dexmedetomidine be a safe and efficacious sedative agent in post-cardiac surgery patients? a meta-analysis

Outcomes

Number of studies remaining

Results of remaining articles*

P-value for heterogeneity

P-value for overall effect

Length of mechanical ventilation

6

-0.87 (-1.67, -0.07)

0.78

0.03

Duration in ICU

4

-3.44 (-11.40, 4.52)

0.03

0.40

Hospital stay

3

-0.38 (-0.95, 0.19)

0.11

0.20

Morphine equivalents

3

1.25 (-0.98, 3.49)

0.06

0.27

Hypotension

4

1.06 (0.72, 1.56)

0.001

0.78

Bradycardia

3

2.08 (1.16, 3.74)

0.42

0.01

Delirium

3

0.35 (0.19, 0.63)

0.06

0.0005

Ventricular tachycardia

3

0.27 (0.08, 0.97)

0.27

0.04

Atrial fibrillation

3

0.90 (0.62, 1.29)

0.67

0.56

Hyperglycemia

3

0.78 (0.61, 0.99)

0.98

0.04

Vomiting and nausea

3

1.02 (0.72, 1.46)

0.48

0.91

Hospital mortality

3

1.00 (0.28, 3.60)

0.17

1.00

Any postoperative infection

3

0.89 (0.38, 2.12)

0.29

0.80

Reintubation within 48 hours

2

1.21 (0.33, 4.41)

/#

0.77

  1. *Five studies excluded in this subgroup analysis: four [14, 16, 17, 21] were retrospective studies and one [18] included the patients already presenting in a delirium state. /#Heterogeneity was not applicable. Values in parentheses are 95% CI.