Low air-temperatures exposure as a risk factor for coronary artery disease progression - personalized analysis

Cardiovascular morbidity is still an epidemiological problem, especially related to the risk of re-intervention. In addition to classical atherosclerosis risk factors, the influence of climate changes related to ambient temperature exposure has been recently taken into account. The individual approach is indicated as desirable and justified for clinical conclusion drawing. The possible relation between air temperature and coronary artery atherosclerosis progression was the subject of our study.

Out of 224 patients, 146 (100 (68%) males and 46 (32%) females in a mean (standard devation - SD) age of 67.7 ± 7.7 years) underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) followed by repeated angiography due to angina equivalent symptoms after median (Q1-3) 510 (154-1451) days. Demographical, clinical, and angiographical characteristics, followed by ambient temperature exposure within the time interval between both angiographic evaluations, were interpreted for predictors of coronary artery stenosis progression.

In the multivariable analysis, mean yearly ambient temperatures (p = 0.018), exposure to extreme low (below - 10 ⁰C) (p = 0.032), and warm (above 25 ⁰C) temperatures (p = 0.023), were found predictive for stenosis progression.

The coronary disease progression was found to be age-related and modulated by ambient temperature exposures. The low ambient temperatures in patients with previous percutaneous interventions may relate to premature significant coronary culprit lesion progression. The exposure to days characterized by warm temperatures may be regarded as protective. The climatic changes represented by mean yearly temperature growth can be regarded as an ominous factor for plaque progression.