Abstract
Seasonal variations of Stanford Type A dissections (STADs) have been previously described in the Northern Hemisphere (NH). This study sought to determine if these variation are mirrored in the Southern Hemisphere (SH). Data from patients treated surgically for STADs were retrospectively obtained from existing administrative and clinical databases from NH and SH sites. Data points of interest included age, sex, date of dissection, and 30-day mortality. The dates of dissections (independent of year) were then organized by season. A total of 1418 patients were identified (729 NH and 689 SH) with complete data available for 1415; 896 patients were male with a mean age was 61 ± 14 years, and the overall 30-day mortality was 17.3%. Comparison of NH and SH on a month-to-month basis demonstrated a 6-month phase shift and a significant difference by season, with STADs occurring predominantly in the winter and least in the summer. Decomposition of the monthly incidence using Fourier analysis revealed the phase shift of the primary harmonic to be -21.9 and 169.8 degrees (days), respectively, for NH and SH. The resultant 191.7 day difference did not exactly correspond to the anticipated 6-month difference but was compatible with the original hypothesis. Chronobiology plays a role in the occurrence of STADs with the highest occurrence in the winter months independent of the hemisphere. Season is not the predominant reason why aortas dissect, but for patients at risk, the increase in systemic vascular resistance during the winter months may account for the seasonal variations seen.
Highlights
There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that cardiovascular events display both a seasonal and circadian variation in occurrence
Chronobiology plays a role in the occurrence of Stanford Type A dissections (STADs) with the highest occurrence in the winter months independent of the hemisphere
Season is not the predominant reason why aortas dissect, but for patients at risk, the increase in systemic vascular resistance during the winter months may account for the seasonal variations seen
Summary
There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that cardiovascular events display both a seasonal and circadian variation in occurrence. observed and appreciated that the winter months tend to be the time when these dissections most often occur [1,2,3], possibly due to the cold weather having an impact on the systemic vascular resistance [4]. All studies (including the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection, IRAD) have relied on patient data from Northern Hemisphere (NH) sites. Seasonal variations of Stanford Type A dissections (STADs) have been previously described in the Northern Hemisphere (NH). Data points of interest included age, sex, date of dissection, and 30-day mortality. Season is not the predominant reason why aortas dissect, but for patients at risk, the increase in systemic vascular resistance during the winter months may account for the seasonal variations seen
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