The Association Between Temperature Variability and Acute Coronary Syndrome Admissions: A Retrospective Study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Environmental Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Meteorological factors are suspected to influence acute coronary events.
• The specific impact of temperature variability on acute coronary syndrome (ACS) admissions requires further investigation.
• Understanding these environmental links can inform public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association between meteorological parameters, especially temperature variability, and hospital admissions for ACS.
• To analyze seasonal differences in ACS admissions in relation to weather patterns.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective observational ecological time-series study involving 1,376 patients hospitalized for ACS (STEMI, NSTEMI, USAP) between 2009-2010.
• Correlation and linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between meteorological data (temperature, humidity) and ACS admissions.
• Seasonal variations and daily fluctuations in weather parameters were considered.

Main Results:

• A total of 981 ACS admissions were recorded, with the highest incidence in May and lowest in September.
• No statistically significant difference in ACS admissions was found between cold and warm seasons.
• Significant associations were observed between ACS admissions and maximum humidity change, mean temperature, mean temperature change, minimum temperature change, minimum humidity, maximum temperature change, and daily temperature variation.

Conclusions:

• Short-term temperature variability, including daily temperature fluctuations, is significantly associated with daily ACS admissions.
• While admissions were numerically higher in colder periods, this did not reach statistical significance.
• The observational nature of the study precludes establishing a causal relationship between meteorological factors and ACS.