Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 2, 2025
Contractility Measurements on Isolated Papillary Muscles for the Investigation of Cardiac Inotropy in Mice
Published on: September 17, 2015
Biological rhythms of fatal myocardial infarction in Greece: an autopsy study
Emmanouil I Sakelliadis1, Konstantinos D Katsos1, Evmorfili I Zouzia1
1Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Insights
Fatal myocardial infarctions (MI) show seasonal patterns, peaking in winter, particularly December and January. Circadian rhythms indicate higher MI incidence between 8-12 AM, suggesting biological timing influences cardiovascular events.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Chronobiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Biological rhythms regulate physiological functions, influenced by genetics and external factors.
- Cardiovascular system components exhibit distinct rhythmic patterns.
- Understanding these rhythms is crucial for predicting and managing health events.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate temporal patterns of fatal myocardial infarction (MI).
- Analyze seasonal, weekly, and circadian variations in MI deaths.
- Correlate biological rhythms with the occurrence of fatal MI.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 827 fatal MI cases (2010-2017).
- Utilized Rayleigh Uniformity Test, X² Goodness-of-fit, and Edward's Seasonality Test for seasonal variation assessment.
- Examined weekly and circadian distributions of MI onset.
Main Results:
- Fatal MIs occurred more frequently in winter, with peaks in December and January.
- Weekly distribution of fatal MI cases was found to be uniform.
- Circadian analysis revealed higher MI frequencies between 08:00-12:00, with an acrophase from 11:00-12:00.
Conclusions:
- Fatal MI deaths exhibit significant seasonal and circadian variations.
- Biological rhythms play a role in the timing of fatal myocardial infarctions.
- Findings can inform public health policies tailored to population-specific biological rhythms.
Background:
Biological rhythms, acting as an endogenous clock, prepare and assist the organism to function optimally during predictable seasonal and daily cycles. Many elements of the cardiovascular system exhibit specific rhythmical patterns. Besides genetic mechanisms, external stimuli may alter biological rhythms.
Methods:
The aim of this study was to investigate the patterns of biological rhythms in patients who suffered a fatal myocardial Infarction (MI), ascertained by macroscopical or histopathological examination. Cases of fatal MI examined during the time 2010-2017 were included in our study sample (827 cases in total). Medical History was also obtained for each case. The assessment of seasonal variation of fatal MI was accomplished by employing three different methods, Rayleigh Uniformity Test, X2 Goodness-of-fit test and Edward's Seasonality Test. Statistical significance was defined as a 2-sided p value of <0.05.
Results:
Regarding the distribution of total cases, fatal MIs onset occurs more often during winter, with higher incidence in December and January. The weekly distribution of cases seems uniform. The circadian pattern presents higher frequencies of fatal MIs between 08:00 and 12:00 with the acrophase between 11:00 and 12:00. Further analysis was conducted separately, depending on the method of time-of-death reporting.
Conclusions:
Taking under consideration the variation of the occurrence of MI related deaths, in accordance with the respective biological rhythms, public health policies more suitable to the individual requirements of every country's population may be adopted.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies