The need to know crude event rates in meta-analysis

Numerous reports have recently been aimed at comparing outcomes between on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Among these, the meta-analysis by Palmerini et al compared percutaneous coronary intervention with CABG using a network design that included 1 patient group receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (n = 4,653) and 2 patient groups in whom CABG was performed either on-pump (n = 10,957) or off-pump (n = 7,119). The rate of stroke at 30 days was the main end point.
Source: American Heart Journal - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: research