Data analysis
Between-group comparisons for clinical and outcome variables were performed using independent samples t-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, chi-square analysis, or Fisher’s exact test. Data are reported as mean ± standard deviation, median (first and third quartile), or frequency (%). All tests are two-sided. Given the exploratory nature of the study, no adjustment for multiple comparisons was performed. Data were compared using the aortic clamping technique (DAC versus SAC as the dichotomizing variable. Analyses were performed using StataV.12 (StataCorp, Texas, US).