Table 3 The hierarchy of outcomes to be extracted and included in final data synthesis
Outcome | Status | Rank | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
All-cause mortality | Primary | 1 | Total number of deaths in each study group due to any attributed cause. |
Myocardial infarction | Primary | 1 | Non-fatal or fatal myocardial infarction, or sudden cardiac death |
2 | Non-fatal or fatal myocardial infarction | ||
3 | Fatal myocardial infarction, or sudden cardiac death | ||
4 | Non-fatal myocardial infarction only | ||
5 | Fatal myocardial infarction only | ||
6 | Any other definition of a myocardial infarction-related endpoint | ||
Cardiovascular mortality | Secondary | 1 | Fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, other cardiovascular disease or sudden death |
2 | Fatal myocardial infarction, stroke or other cardiovascular disease | ||
3 | Fatal myocardial infarction, stroke or sudden death | ||
4 | Fatal myocardial infarction or stroke | ||
5 | Any other definition of cardiovascular mortality | ||
Stroke | Secondary | 1 | Non-fatal or fatal stroke, not including transient ischaemic attack |
2 | Fatal stroke | ||
3 | Non-fatal stroke | ||
4 | Non-fatal stroke or transient ischaemic attack | ||
5 | Non-fatal or fatal stroke or transient ischaemic attack | ||
6 | Any other definition of a stroke-related endpoint | ||
Revascularisation | Secondary | 1 | Any need for unplanned revascularisation |
Heart failure | Secondary | 1 | Management of heart failure, requiring medical attention, hospital attendance or admission |