The biometrical comparison of cardiac imaging methods

Objectives: Biometrical comparison procedures for cardiac imaging methods w ith continuous outcome are reviewed mainly concentrating on assessment and design adequate comparison of accuracy and precision. Univariate graphical and numerical representation of corresponding deviations is outlined to der ive a 'check list' of minimum information necessary to compare the measurem ent methods. Data: The methods reviewed here are illustrated by the compari son of standard 2DE bidimensional cardial volumetry versus assessment using TDE colour imaging in 28 normal probands. Sources: The paired t-test and t he corresponding confidence interval approach are used to assess deviations in location of two imaging methods; the test procedures of Maloney and Ras togi Hahn and Nelson and Grubbs are surveyed as proposals for the compariso n of precisions in paired data. The Krippendorff coefficient and the Bradle y/Blackwood test are illustrated as surrogate measures for method concordan ce. Conclusions: Since these methods can be performed by simple modificatio n of standard options available in most statistics software packages, this review intends to enable cardiologists to choose appropriate methods for st atistical data analysis and representation on their own. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.