Table 2 Population included in studies selected for meta-analysis

 Erb et al., 2014 [19]

33 On-pump CABG (with or without valve)

<30%

Before incision 12.5-mg total dose at 0.1 μg∙kg⁻¹∙minute⁻¹

 Levin et al., 2012 [20]

252 On-pump CABG only

<25%

Preoperative 10-μg/kg bolus; 0.1 μg∙kg⁻¹∙minute⁻¹ for 23 h

 Mehta et al., 2017 [13]

849 On-pump cardiac surgery

<35%

Before incision 0.2 μg/kg/minute for 1 h; 0.1 μg∙kg⁻¹∙minute⁻¹ for 23 h

 Shah et al., 2014 [21]

50 Off-pump CABG only

<30%

Preoperative 0.133 μg∙kg⁻¹∙minute⁻¹ for 24 h

 Sharma et al., 2014 [22]

40 CABG and mitral valve repair

<30%

Preoperative 200 μg∙kg⁻¹ for 24 h

 Lomivorotov et al., 2012^a [17]

60 On-pump CABG only

<35%

Before incision 12-μg∙kg⁻¹ bolus; 0.1 μg∙kg⁻¹∙minute⁻¹ for 24 h

–

–

–

–

Low LVEF and LCOS

 Landoni et al., 2017 [14]

504 All cardiac surgery

<25%/or LCOS^b

Mainly postoperative^b 0.05 μg∙kg⁻¹∙minute⁻¹ for 48 h or until ICU discharge