Effect of chelation therapy on arrhythmogenic and basal ECG parameters of lead exposed workers

Arch Environ Occup Health. 2022;77(5):382-388. doi: 10.1080/19338244.2021.1910116. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Abstract

Lead exposure has etiological role on cardiovascular system diseases as hypertension, atherosclerosis, stroke, and arrhythmic events. In this study, we aimed to compare the basal and arrhythmogenic ECG parameters of lead exposed workers before and after chelation therapy and to evaluate the effect of acute change of blood lead levels on ECG. Fourty consecutive occupationally lead exposed workers were enrolled, demographic, blood, echocardiographic, and electrocardiographic data's were analyzed before and after chelation therapy. Pmax, P min, P Wave Dispersion, and QT Dispersion values which are arrhythmia predictors were significantly lower after chelation therapy compared to values before chelation therapy. Lead exposed workers are under the risk of ventricular and atrial arrythmias and chelation treatment has a positive effect on these parameters.

Keywords: Arrythmia; ECG; chelation; lead exposure.

MeSH terms

  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / chemically induced
  • Chelation Therapy*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Humans
  • Lead*

Substances

  • Lead