Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Diagnostic accuracy studies were eligible for inclusion (no further details were provided).
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies of MRA were eligible for inclusion. The specific tests used in the included studies were: two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) MRA, 2-D and 3-D gadolinium-enhanced MRA, and 2-D phase contrast MRA. The cut-off point was the detection of greater than 50% stenosis or occlusion. Studies were excluded if they had unclear cut-off levels.
Reference standard test against which the new test was compared
Studies had to compare MRA with conventional arteriography or intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography to be included in the review. Some included studies reported both methods as the reference standard.
Participants included in the review
Studies of patients with claudication or critical limb ischaemia were eligible for inclusion. The included studies also had patients with other diagnoses such as symptomatic aortoiliac disease, obstructive arterial disease, preoperative, symptomatic, vascular disease and other (unspecified). Where stated, the mean age of the included patients ranged from 53 to 74 years. Studies on MRA for follow-up after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or surgery were excluded.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Studies that presented 2x2 contingency tables or data allowing their construction were eligible for inclusion. Studies were also included if these data were available for only a subset of patients. The outcome measures used in the review were sensitivity, specificity and the diagnostic odds ratio (DOR).
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the reviewers performed the selection.