We investigated correlation between the normal level of air pollution, weather conditions and stroke occurrence in the region of Southeast Europe with a humid continental climate. This retrospective study included 1963 patients, 1712 (87.2%) with ischemic (IS) and 251 (12.8%) with hemorrhagic stroke (HS) admitted to emergency department. The number of patients, values of weather condition (meteorological parameters) [air temperature (°C), atmospheric pressure (kPa), relative humidity (%)] and concentrations of air pollutants [particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO), ozone (O)], were recorded and evaluated for each season (spring, summer, autumn, winter) during 2 years (July 2008-June 2010). The highest rate of IS was observed during spring (28.9%) (p = 0.0002) and HS in winter (33.9%) (p = 0.0006). We have found negative Spearman's correlations (after Bonferroni adjustment for the multiple correlations) of the number of males with values of relative humidity (%) (day 0, rho = - 0.15), the total number of strokes (day 2, rho = - 0.12), females (day 2, rho = - 0.12) and IS (day 2, rho = - 0.13) with concentrations of PM (µg/m), as well as negative correlations of the number of females (day 2, rho = - 0.12) and IS (day 2, rho = - 0.12) with concentrations of NO (µg/m) (for all p < 0.002). In winter, the number of HS (day 0, rho = 0.25, p = 0.001) positively correlated with concentrations of O (µg/m). The appearance of stroke has seasonal variations, with the highest rates during spring and winter. Positive correlation between the number of HS and values of O requires an additional reduction of the legally permitted pollutants concentrations.

SUMMARY -In this study, we investigated the correlation of air temperature, pressure and concentration of air pollutants with the rate of admissions for cardiac arrhythmias at two clinical centers in the area with a humid continental climate. Th is retrospective study included 3749 patients with arrhythmias admitted to emergency department (ED). Th ey were classifi ed into four groups: supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), ventricular tachycardia (VT), atrial fi brillation/undulation (Afi b/ Aund), and palpitations (with no ECG changes, or with sinus tachycardia and extrasystoles). Th e number of patients, values of meteorological parameters (average daily values of air temperature, pressure and relative humidity) and concentrations of air pollutants (particles of dimensions ~10 micrometers or less (PM 10 ), ozone (O 3 ) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 )) were collected during a two-year period ( July 2008-June 2010). Th ere were 1650 (44.0%), 1525 (40.7%), 451 (12.0%) and 123 (3.3%) patients with palpitations, Afi b/Aund, SVT and VT, respectively. Spearman's correlation yielded positive correlation between the occurrence of arrhythmias and air humidity on the day (r=0.07), and 1 (r=0.08), 2 (r=0.09) and 3 days before (r=0.09), and NO 2 particles on the day (r=0.08) of ED admission; palpitations and air humidity on the day (r=0.11), and 1 (r=0.09), 2 (r=0.07) and 3 days before (r=0.10), and PM 10 (r=0.11) and NO 2 (r=0.08) particles on the day of ED admission; and Afi b/Aund and air humidity 2 days before (r=0.08) ED admission (p<0.05 all). In conclusion, there was a very weak positive correlation of the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias with air humidity and concentration of air pollutants in the region with a humid continental climate.

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