Structural and functional features and indices of left ventricular deformation in coal industry workers depending on the presence of arterial hypertension

Abstract

Introduction. The coal industry occupies an important place in the Kuzbass industry, which involves a significant part of the employable-age population. Early detection of reduced myocardial contractility among coal industry workers, which develops as a result of arterial hypertension, will prevent the development of cardiovascular complications that can lead to disability or lethal outcome.The objective of the study was to evaluate the structural and functional parameters of the left ventricle in workers with and without arterial hypertension employed in coal industry enterprises with different methods of coal mining.Material and methods. The study included 178 coal mine workers and 112 open-pit coal mine workers aged from 40 to 55 years. All subjects underwent echocardiography to determine the geometric and functional parameters of the left ventricle and to assess its global longitudinal deformation.Results. Concentric remodeling of the left ventricle was revealed in open-pit coal mine workers with arterial hypertension. Its ejection fraction in all groups was within normal values but was lower in open pit coal mine workers with arterial hypertension (p=0.012). The global longitudinal strain of the left ventricle was significantly less in individuals with arterial hypertension (p<0.0001). In groups with normal blood pressure, it was significantly lower among miners than in open-pit coal mine workers (p=0.020).Conclusion. Concentric remodeling of the left ventricular myocardium was detected only in the workers of coal mines with arterial hypertension. Among the miners and open-pit coal mine workers with arterial hypertension with a normal left ventricular ejection fraction, a decrease in the longitudinal deformation of the left ventricular myocardium was recorded. Among the workers of the coal industry without arterial hypertension, a decrease in the longitudinal strain of the left ventricle was observed only in miners, which may be due to the influence of a complex of harmful factors of working in underground conditions.