Effect of cold weather on carotid artery stenosis and occlusion: A retrospective observational study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of cold weather on carotid artery stenosis and occlusion. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study, in which 145 patients with carotid artery stenosis and occlusion were enrolled [115 men and 30 women; the mean age was 61.08 years (95% CI 59.27-62.88)]. Patients were divided into the low-temperature group (n=98) (≤12 °C) and the non-low temperature group (n=47) (>12 °C). Clinical characteristics, blood pressure, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), blood fat, and blood viscositys were compared between the two groups. Correlation between NIHSS and mean daily temperature was analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the two groups (P>0.05). The NIHSS score was slightly higher in the non-low temperature group compared to that of the low-temperature group (U=2 984, P<0.01). Glycemia, cholesterol level, prothrombin time, fibrinogen, and International Normalized Ratio did not show any significant difference (P>0.05). Correlation analysis showed a very low positive and statistically significant correlation between ambient temperature and NIHSS score (r=0.18, P=0.029). Conclusion: Cold weather does not impact blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and coagulation factors of patients with carotid artery stenosis and occlusion. The neurological deficit is more severe in the non-low ambient temperature group. A potential relationship exists between ambient temperature and the level of neurological impairment.