title: Statistical Methods for Cardiovascular Researchers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Biostatistics continues to play an essential role in contemporary cardiovascular investigations, but successful implementation of biostatistical methods can be complex.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present the rationale behind statistical applications and to review useful tools for cardiology research.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prospective declaration of the research question, clear methodology, and study execution that adheres to the protocol together and serve as the critical foundation of a research endeavor. Both parametric and distribution-free measures of central tendency and dispersion are presented. T testing, ANOVA, and regression analyses are reviewed. Survival analysis, logistic regression, and interim monitoring are also discussed. Finally, common weaknesses in statistical analyses are considered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biostatistics can be productively applied to cardiovascular research if investigators (1) develop and rely on a well-written protocol and analysis plan, (2) consult with a biostatistician when necessary, and (3) write results clearly, differentiating confirmatory from exploratory findings.
authors: From the Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. lemmoye@msn.com.
authors: Lem
authors: L
authors: Moyé
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D056808:Biostatistics / Q000379:methods*; D002309:Cardiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D016015:Logistic Models; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012107:Research Design / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: biostatistics; regression analysis; research; research design; survival analysis