The winter peak in the occurrence of acute aortic dissection is independent of climate.

We recently reported the existence of a higher risk of acute aortic dissection (AAD) during the winter months. However, it is not known whether this winter peak is affected by climate. To address this issue, we evaluated data from 969 AAD patients who were enrolled at various sites around the globe and who were participating in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD). We found a significant (p = 0.001; chi2 test) difference in the number of AAD events occurring during the different seasons of the year, with highest incidence in winter (28.4%) and lowest incidence in summer (19.9%). Furthermore, the winter peak was evident in both cold and temperate climate settings, suggesting that the relative change in temperature, rather than absolute temperature, and/or endogenous annual rhythms are critical mechanistic factors

Complicated acute type B dissection: is surgery still the best option? A report from the international registry of acute aortic dissection

Objectives: Impact on survival of different treatment strategies was analyzed in 571 patients with acute type B aortic dissection enrolled from 1996 to 2005 in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection. Background: The optimal treatment for acute type B dissection is still a matter of debate. Methods: Information on 290 clinical variables were compared, including demographics; medical history; clinical presentation; physical findings; imaging studies; details of medical, surgical, and endovascular management; in-hospital clinical events; and in-hospital mortality. Results: Of the 571 patients with acute type B aortic dissection, 390 (68.3%) were treated medically, 59 (10.3%) with standard open surgery and 66 (11.6%) with an endovascular approach. Patients who underwent emergency endovascular or open surgery were younger (mean age 58.8 years, p < 0.001) than their counterparts treated conservatively, and had male preponderance and hypertension in 76.9%. Patients submitted to surgery presented with a wider aortic diameter than patients treated by interventional techniques or by medical therapy (5.36 \ub1 1.7 cm vs. 4.62 \ub1 1.4 cm vs. 4.47 \ub1 1.4 cm, p = 0.003). In-hospital complications occurred in 20% of patients subjected to endovascular technique and in 40% of patients after open surgical repair. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher after open surgery (33.9%) than after endovascular treatment (10.6%, p = 0.002). After propensity and multivariable adjustment, open surgical repair was associated with an independent increased risk of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio: 3.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 11.67, p = 0.05). Conclusions: In the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection, the less invasive nature of endovascular treatment seems to provide better in-hospital survival in patients with acute type B dissection; larger randomized trials or comprehensive registries are needed to access impact on outcomes

Influence of clinical presentation on the outcome of acute B aortic dissection : evidences from IRAD

In-hospital outcome of acute type B dissection (ABAD) is strongly related to preoperative aortic conditions. In order to clarify the influence of the clinical presentation on the outcome, we analyzed the patients of the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD). All patients affected by complicated ABAD, enrolled in the IRAD from 1996-2004, were included. Complications were defined as the presence of shock, periaortic hematoma, spinal cord ischemia, preoperative mesenteric ischemia/infarction, acute renal failure, limb ischemia, recurrent pain, refractory pain or refractory hypertension (group I). All other patients were categorized as uncomplicated (group II). A comprehensive analysis was performed of all clinical variables in relation to in-hospital outcome

Cocaine-related aortic dissection : lessons from the international registry of acute aortic dissection

Background Acute aortic dissection associated with cocaine use is rare and has been reported predominantly as single cases or in small patient cohorts.Methods Our study analyzed 3584 patients enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection from 1996 to 2012. We divided the population on the basis of documented cocaine use (C+) versus noncocaine use (C-) and further stratified the cohorts into type A (33 C+/2332, 1.4%) and type B (30 C+/1252, 2.4%) dissection.Results C+ patients presented at a younger age and were more likely to be male and black. Type B dissections were more common among C+ patients than in C- patients. Cocaine-related acute aortic dissection was reported more often at US sites than at European sites (86.4%, 51/63 vs 13.6%, 8/63; P <.001). Tobacco use was more prevalent in the C+ cohort. No differences were seen in history of hypertension, known atherosclerosis, or time from symptom onset to presentation. Type B C+ patients were more likely to be hypertensive at presentation. C+ patients had significantly smaller ascending aortic diameters at presentation. Acute renal failure was more common in type A C+ patients; however, mortality was significantly lower in type A C+ patients.Conclusions Cocaine use is implicated in 1.8% of patients with acute aortic dissection. The typical patient is relatively young and has the additional risk factors of hypertension and tobacco use. In-hospital mortality for those with cocaine-related type A dissection is lower than for those with noncocaine-related dissection, likely due to the younger age at presentation

Chronobiological patterns of acute aortic dissection

BACKGROUND: Chronobiological rhythms have been shown to influence the occurrence of a variety of cardiovascular disorders. However, the effects of the time of the day, the day of the week, or monthly/seasonal changes on acute aortic dissection (AAD) have not been well studied. METHODS AND RESULTS: Accordingly, we evaluated 957 patients enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD) between 1996 and 2000 (mean age 62+/-14 years, type A 61%). A chi(2) test for goodness of fit and partial Fourier analysis were used to evaluate nonuniformity and rhythmicity of AAD during circadian, weekly, and monthly periods. A significantly higher frequency of AAD occurred from 6:00 AM to 12:00 noon compared with other time periods (12:00 noon to 6:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 12:00 midnight, and 12:00 midnight to 6:00 AM; P<0.001 by chi(2) test). Fourier analysis showed a highly significant circadian variation (P<0.001) with a peak between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM. Although no significant variation was found for the day of the week, the frequency of AAD was significantly higher during winter (P=0.008 versus other seasons by chi(2) test). Fourier analysis confirmed this monthly variation with a peak in January (P<0.001). Subgroup analysis identified a significant association for all subgroups with circadian rhythmicity. However, seasonal/monthly variations were observed only among patients aged <70 years, those with type B AAD, and those without hypertension or diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to other cardiovascular conditions, AAD exhibits significant circadian and seasonal/monthly variations. Our findings may have important implications for the prevention of AAD by tailoring treatment strategies to ensure maximal benefits during the vulnerable periods

Does circadian and seasonal variation in occurrence of acute aortic dissection influence in-hospital outcomes?

The risk of acute aortic dissection (AAD) exhibits chronobiological variations with peak onset in the morning and in winter. However, it is not known whether the time of day or season of the year of the AAD affects clinical outcomes. We studied 1,032 patients enrolled in the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection from January 1997 to December 2001. For circadian and seasonal analysis, the time and date of symptom onset were available for 741 and 1,007 patients, respectively, and were grouped into four 6h periods (morning, afternoon, evening, and night) and four seasons (winter, spring, summer, and autumn). The chi2 test for goodness of fit was used to evaluate non-uniformity of the time of day and time of year for critical in-hospital clinical events, including death. While highest incidence of AAD occurred in the morning and winter, clinical events (including mortality) were similar during the four different periods of the 24 h (chi2 = 1.9, p = 0.60) and seasonal (chi2 = 1.2, p = 0.75) periods