Short-Term Effects of Ambient Temperature on Acute Heart Failure Decompensation: Phenotype-Specific Risk in a...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Environmental Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) shows seasonal patterns, but short-term temperature effects are understudied.
• Temperature-sensitive ADHF exacerbation phenotypes are not well-defined, hindering preventive strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of ambient temperature on ADHF admissions.
• To analyze clinical presentation profiles associated with temperature-related ADHF exacerbations.

Main Methods:

• A time-stratified case-crossover design was used with data from 26,874 ADHF patients (2014-2019).
• Distributed lag nonlinear models explored associations between ambient temperature and ADHF admissions (lag 0-5 days).
• Stratified analyses examined clinical presentations and hemodynamic profiles.

Main Results:

• Exposure to low temperatures (-4.5°C) significantly increased ADHF risk (OR 1.80).
• The risk elevation from cold temperatures was immediate (lag 0) and more pronounced in patients aged ≥70 years.
• Temperature-risk relationships varied by hemodynamic profile: hypertension-related ADHF risk rose with cold, while low blood pressure-related ADHF risk increased with heat.

Conclusions:

• Low ambient temperature elevates ADHF risk, especially in the elderly, with distinct effects based on hemodynamic status.
• Integrating temperature exposure into risk assessments can facilitate targeted prevention of climate-related ADHF decompensation.