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Sudden death from pulmonary thromboembolism: chronobiological aspects
M Gallerani1, R Manfredini, L Ricci
1Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Ferrara, Italy.
European Heart Journal
|May 1, 1992
Summary
Sudden cardiac death from pulmonary embolism shows daily and yearly rhythms. These deaths peak in the morning and during winter, suggesting a chronobiological pattern.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Chronobiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a significant public health concern.
- Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common cause of sudden cardiac death.
- The potential for temporal patterns in PE-related SCD is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether sudden cardiac death attributed to pulmonary embolism exhibits chronobiological rhythms.
- To identify specific daily (circadian) and yearly (circannual) patterns in PE-related SCD.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 507 cases of sudden death outside a hospital setting.
- Autopsy confirmation of pulmonary embolism in 48 cases.
- Application of single cosinor analysis to time and date data of fatal events.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant circadian rhythm was identified for PE-related SCD.
- The acrophase for the circadian rhythm was observed in the morning (11:46 AM, P = 0.003).
- A significant circannual rhythm was also detected, with an acrophase in winter (P = 0.009).
Conclusions:
- Sudden cardiac death due to pulmonary embolism demonstrates both circadian and circannual rhythmicity.
- These findings suggest a predictable temporal pattern in PE-related SCD.
- Understanding these rhythms may inform preventative strategies and public health interventions.