The EnvScore-Aorte Diagnostic Study Protocol for the Identification of Acute Aortic Syndrome

Diagnostic Performance of a Modified AORTAs Score Integrated With Environmental Exposure Data for Acute Aortic Syndrome Identification : The EnvScore-Aorte Diagnostic Study Protocol

The goal of this retrospective observational study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the AORTAs score integrated with environmental exposure data (AORTAs-E) for the identification of Acute Aortic Syndrome (AAS) during initial maangement in the emergency departement.

The main question it aims to answer is:

Can the integration of real-time meteorological and atmospheric pollution data improve the early identification of AAS in patients presenting in the emergency department for chest, abdominal, or back pain?

Researchers will analyze medical records and environmental data for 580 adult patients (290 cases with confirmed AAS and 290 controls) managed at the University Hospital of Besançon between 2014 and 2026. Environmental exposure, including temperature and pollutant concentrations, will be calculated based on each patient's residential address to determine if adding these factors to clinical data increases diagnostic accuracy.

Inclusion Criteria (Cases - AAS+) :

• Adults (>18 years)
• Diagnosis of AAS (aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, or penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer) identified according to medicalization programs for information systems
• Diagnosis confirmed by imaging (CTA, TTE, or TOE)

Inclusion Criteria (Controls - AAS-):

• Adults (>18 years)
• Presenting in the emergency department for chest, back, or abdominal pain.-
• Confirmed differential diagnosis by CTA, ruling out AAS

Exclusion Criteria:

• Post-traumatic or iatrogenic AAS.
• Subacute (8-30 days) or chronic symptoms (>30 days).
• Patients under legal protection or unable to provide consent/non-opposition.