On the roles of reproducibility, ethics, and statistical modeling in medical research

Excerpt

We are disappointed to read the Editorial comments by Poitrasson-Rivière and Murthy1 on our paper proposing a simplified method for estimation of myocardial flow reserve, published recently in this Journal.2 While the authors offer some constructive criticisms and valid observations based on the results presented in our paper, we must take exception to their extraordinary suggestion (based on their computer simulation) that our data were somehow ‘adjusted’ to improve the reported results and to be more in keeping with our hypothesis. We categorically and unequivocally state that the measured data were not altered in any way during the course of our analysis. We can only imagine (or dare to dream of) the reasons which may have led them to this false conclusion. …