This paper describes various statistical methods used by the author during multiple studies conducted by the author. Initially, the data were scrutinized to ensure normal distribution, and expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) or standard error of mean (SEM) for normally distributed variables. Medians and ranges were given for the data with skewed distribution. Two tailed, paired t tests or independent sample t tests (analysis of variance) were used for normally distributed data, while non-parametric chi-square or similar other tests were utilized for data with skewed distribution. Statistical significance was set at a p value of < 0.05. Bonferroni correction was applied when the study involves multiple comparisons. A number of other statistical methods used during these studies were also discussed. Finally, special methods used in evaluating aortic remodeling subsequent to balloon angioplasty of native aortic coarctation were reviewed.
Keywords: Bonferroni correction; actuarial analysis of event-free rates; analysis of variance; chi-square tests; contingency tables; correlation coefficients; inter-observer and intra-observer variation; linear regression; mean; median; multivariate logistic regression; normal distribution; paired t test; simple and multiple linear regression analysis; standard deviation; standard error of mean.