Meta-analysis, Review and Update of Methodologies

Abstract

In 1982 thrombolytic therapy for acute coronary syndromes was controversial. In a meta-analysis of seven trials Stampfer et al. found a reduced risk of mortality of 0.80 (95% confidence interval 0.68–0.95). These findings (Stampfer et al. 1982) were not accepted by cardiologists until 1986, when a large clinical trial confirmed the conclusions (Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Streptochinasi nell’Infarto Miocardico (GISSI) 1986), and streptokinase became widely applied.