Vascular emergencies: what's in season?
Seasonality in ischaemic coronary artery disease is well documented with a winter/summer variation the commonest pattern. The influence of seasonal variation on events in other vascular territories is less well documented. The incidence of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and emergency lower-limb ischaemia was analysed on a monthly basis over a 5-year period. A total of 372 ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms occurred with a peak incidence in spring and autumn; however, no seasonal pattern was seen in the rate of emergency admissions with lower-limb ischaemia (n = 606). The explanation for this seasonal pattern in ruptured aneurysms is unknown. The haemodynamic adjustments to changes in climate require further study.
Varty
K
K
Department of Surgery, University of Leicester, UK.
Reid
A
A
Jagger
C
C
Bell
P R
PR
D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D002980:Climate; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004630:Emergencies; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007511:Ischemia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012621:Seasons