Impact of meteorological factors on acute aortic events

Abstract

AIM: The association between meteorological variables with the occurrence of acute aortic events was explored. METHODS: A linear regression analysis was performed for a period of ten years on the impact of meteorological factors (ambient temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, amount of cloud, rainfall, number of lightning strikes, typhoon and thunderstorm) on the daily incidence of acute aortic events such as aortic dissection and ruptured aortic aneurysms. Meteorological variables were retrieved on a daily basis from Hong Kong observatory, and daily incidence was retrieved from the CDAR (Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting) System. RESULTS: From January 2005 to December 2014, a total of 3,878 patients had acute aortic dissection, and 1,174 had ruptured aortic aneurysms. Mean daily incidence of aortic dissection and ruptured aortic aneurysm were 1.06 and 0.32 respectively. Incidence of aortic dissection and ruptured aortic aneurysm in a day could be predicted by ambient temperature in degrees Celsius using linear regression model: (1) Incidence (aortic dissection) = 1.548 − 0.021 * Temperature (R = −.102, R square = .010, p < 0.001) (2) Incidence (ruptured aortic aneurysm) = 0.564 − 0.010 * Temperature (R = −.098, R square = .010, p < 0.001). Atmospheric pressure and thunderstorm also predicted occurrence of aortic dissection. Similarly, atmospheric pressure and relative humidity predicted occurrence of ruptured aortic aneurysm. Their significance however was lost in multiple regression analysis. Ambient temperature was therefore the single significant predictor for acute aortic event. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a clear attributable effect of ambient temperature on acute aortic events. We argued for a systematic fight against cold in cardiovascular disease prevention.