Baseline characteristics of the patients of included studies.

1<p>The study by Sorice et al includes two randomized comparisons in patients who underwent off-pump or on-pump surgery. These two sets of data were analyzed separately in the meta-analysis, as Sorice 2011a and Sorice 2011b.</p><p>BMI, body mass index; HTN, hypertension; DM, diabetes mellitus; AF, atrial fibrillation; CRF, chronic renal failure; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; LAD, left atrial dimension; ACEI, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors; ARB, angiotensin II receptor blockers; NR, not reported.