Abstract 12871: Different Trends in Increased Incidence of Myocardial Infarction and Heart Failure after 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster in Northeast Japan

Abstract

BACKGROUND: On 11 March 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake followed by a huge tsunami attacked the northeastern coast of Japan. Several previous studies have shown an increased incidence in cardiovascular disease after natural disasters. However, no reports have demonstrated the effect of such disasters on the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and acute decompensated heart failure (HF).

METHODS: We surveyed incidence and clinical characteristics of patients with non-fatal MI and those with HF in the coast area hit by the catastrophic earthquake followed by tsunamis. Patients hospitalized in all hospitals located in the disaster area (southern San-riku) were surveyed retrospectively for 4 weeks before and 8 weeks after the disaster. For comparison with the previous year’s-case numbers, the same survey was conducted in the corresponding area during the equivalent 12-week periods in 2009 and 2010. Inclusion criteria for MI and HF were based on the MONICA and Framingham definitions, respectively. Subjects with HF due to recent MI (=< 4 weeks) were excluded from the survey.

RESULTS: Trends in the incidence of MI and HF before and after the disaster are given in the Figure. In the case of MI, case numbers increased within 1 week of the disaster. In contrast, HF numbers remained stable for 2 weeks and peaked 3 weeks after the disaster.

CONCLUSIONS: This devastating natural disaster increased the incidence of both MI and HF. The discrepancy in observed timing suggests that the mechanisms underlying the increase in these two conditions may differ.