Figure 4

Decision curve analysis (DCA) for the nomogram (in the validation group). The possibility of an individual is denoted as Pi. When Pi reaches a certain threshold (denoted as Pt), it is defined as positive, and intervention (taking antihypertensive medications) may be taken. Therefore, there are benefits (pros) of intervention for patients with post-surgical PHT and harm (cons) of intervention for patients with normal BP after surgery. There is also the harm (cons) of missed intervention for patients with PHT. Pros minus cons is the net benefit. When Pi < Pt, there is no intervention, and the net benefit is 0 (treat-none). When Pi > Pt, all patients receive the intervention, and the net benefit is shown by the gray slanted curve (treat-all). Our DCA indicates that when the threshold probability is approximately 10% to 80%, the use of this predictive model would accrue greater benefit than a treat-all or treat-none strategy.