# Influence of Foehn on Aortic Aneurysm Ruptures in Southern Germany

## TL;DR

This study explores how a warm, dry wind called Foehn in southern Germany may influence the occurrence of aortic aneurysm ruptures.

## Contribution

The study is the first to analyze the impact of Foehn weather on aortic aneurysm ruptures in Alpine regions.

## Key findings

- Abdominal aortic ruptures were the most common type in both men and women.
- Ruptures were more frequent during foehn days, which are characterized by southerly winds and lower air pressure.
- The incidence of ruptures varied by season and location, with differences observed between Augsburg and Munich.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Foehn, a warm, dry wind blowing down into the valleys of a mountain, is a typical weather condition in southern Germany. Until now, there have been no data regarding the impact of foehn on aortic aneurysm ruptures in the Alpine regions, analyzed in this study. Methods: In this retrospective German dual-center study (University Augsburg, University Munich) were enrolled 152 patients with a rupture of the thoracic aortic aneurysm (rTAA), abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA), and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (rTAAA), living within 20 km of weather measuring stations. We analyzed the risk factors for aortic aneurysm rupture dependent on weather changes in southern Germany using the meteorological data from January 2010 to December 2019. Results: The most common form of ruptured aortic aneurysm (rAA) was abdominal aortic rupture in both sexes (64.5% men, 17.1% women). The incidence rate of rAAA from Augsburg and Munich was 20.4% in spring, 26.3% in autumn, 28.9% in summer, and 24.3% in winter. Indeed, in Augsburg, rAAAs occurred most often during winter months (32%), while in Munich the majority of cases occurred during summer (32%). We observed that aortic ruptures on days with a tendency for southerly wind flow and lower air pressure were correlated with foehn in southern Germany. Conclusion: The occurrence of foehn days could be a relevant risk factor for increased incidence of rAA.