Echocardiographic assessment of myocardial function in workers occupationally exposed to lead without clinically evident heart disease

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate echocardiographic changes in workers occupationally exposed to low doses of lead.

Methods: We enrolled 63 men occupationally exposed to lead into the study (group I). Unexposed group consisted of 49 healthy men (group II). Blood lead concentration (Pb-B) and blood zinc protoporphyrin concentration (ZnPP) were determined. Transthoracic echocardiographic examination was performed.

Results: In the studied groups, selected on the criterion of occupational exposure to lead, comparative analysis of echocardiographic parameters indicated statistically significant differences. A negative linear correlations between ZnPP and E' was observed in group I. It was proved that a higher concentration of ZnPP is independent risk factor of lowering the E' mean value in group I.

Conclusions: Occupational exposure to low doses of lead is associated with the occurrence of discreet morphological and functional heart changes that in the future may predispose to disclosed pathology of heart.

Keywords: Echocardiography; Heart; Lead; Occupational exposure.