To investigate the model sensitivity and understanding heterogeneity’s impact, we also tested a fixed-effect model that showed a statistically significant greater OR of composite of stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic) and systemic embolism in FXI inhibitor arm compared to DOAC (OR 3.01, 95%CI 2.10–4.31) (Fig. 3c). Here, F11 is linked to Stroke.