Influence of meteorological conditions on hospital admission in patients with acute coronary syndrome with and without ST-segment elevation: Results of the AIRACOS study

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate whether the meterological parameters affecting revenues in patients with ST-segment and non-ST-segment elevation ACS.

Design: A prospective cohort study was carried out.

Setting: Coronary Care Unit of Hospital Universitario de Canarias

Patients: We studies a total of 307 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of ST-segment and non-ST-segment elevation ACS. We analyze the average concentrations of particulate smaller than 10 and 2.5μm diameter, particulate black carbon, the concentrations of gaseous pollutants and meteorological parameters (wind speed, temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure) that were exposed patients from one day up to 7 days prior to admission.

Interventions: None.

Variables of interest: Demographic, clinical, atmospheric particles, concentrations of gaseous pollutants and meterological parameters.

Results: A total of 138 (45%) patients were classified as ST-segment and 169 (55%) as non-ST-segment elevation ACS. No statistically significant differences in exposure to atmospheric particles in both groups. Regarding meteorological data, we did not find statistically significant differences, except for higher atmospheric pressure in ST-segment elevation ACS (999.6±2.6 vs. 998.8±2.5 mbar, P=.008). Multivariate analysis showed that atmospheric pressure was significant predictor of ST-segment elevation ACS presentation (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.04-1.24, P=.004).

Conclusions: In the patients who suffer ACS, the presence of higher number of atmospheric pressure during the week before the event increase the risk that the ST-segment elevation ACS.

Keywords: Acute myocardial infarction; Air pollution; Contaminación atmosférica; Exposición poblacional; Infarto agudo de miocardio; Meteorological variables; Population exposure; Variables meteorológicas.