The association between seasonality and the incidence of permanent
pacemaker implantations due to atrioventricular block
Abstract
Background: Previous studies described a higher prevalence of
cardiovascular comorbidities during the winter season. Data regarding
seasonal association of atrioventricular (AV) block are scarce.
Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of all patients
admitted to a tertiary medical center with AV block requiring a
permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation between 2006-2017 was performed.
In a time-series analysis, the seasonal incidence of PPM implementations
due to AV block was assessed and adjusted for meteorological factors.
The association between the weekly incidence of PPM implantations and
the weekly rates of influenza as reported by the Israel Center of
Disease Control (ICDC) were also assessed. Result: The study
population included 759 patients. Mean age was 76.1 years and 55% were
males. Most of the patients (34.1%) were admitted in the winter season.
In multivariate analysis, there was a significantly higher incidence of
PPM implantations among men during the winter season as compared to the
fall season (Adjusted IRR [Incidence Rate-Ratio] 1.40, 95% CI
1.05;1.88; p<0.05), and a significant increase of 24% in the
incidence of PPM implantations during the influenza season as compared
to the rest of the year (Unadjusted IRR 1.24, 95% CI 0.99;1.53;
p<0.05). Conclusion: In the present analysis the
incidence of PPM implantations due to AV block was higher among men
during the winter season and correlated with high influenza illness
rates. Further prospective and larger studies are required to assess
these findings.