Kaplan-Meier curve
Pronunciation: KAP-lan MY-er
A statistical method for displaying time-to-event data, showing the probability of survival or event-free survival over time.
Full Definition
Kaplan-Meier curves are the gold standard for presenting time-to-event analyses in cardiovascular research, displaying the probability of remaining event-free over the study follow-up period. These survival curves account for censored data (patients lost to follow-up or study completion without events) and provide visual representation of treatment effects over time. The curves typically include confidence intervals, number-at-risk tables, and log-rank test results for between-group comparisons. In cardiovascular trials, Kaplan-Meier curves commonly display time to MACE, cardiovascular death, or device-related complications. Early separation of curves may indicate treatment benefit, while late separation might suggest delayed effects.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate when used as compound modifier; always include confidence intervals and at-risk tables in publications.
In Context
- "Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated early separation favoring the intervention group (log-rank P=0.001)." — Results section
- "The number-at-risk table below the Kaplan-Meier curve shows patient counts at six-month intervals." — Figure legend