Cardiovascular disease electrocardiogram

Cardiovascular Effects. Information regarding cardiovascular effects in humans after inhalation exposure to chromium and its compounds is limited. In a survey of a facility engaged in chromate production in Italy, where exposure concentrations were 0.01 mg chromium(VI)/m3, electrocardiograms were recorded for 22 of the 65 workers who worked in the production of dichromate and chromium trioxide for at least 1 year. No abnormalities were found (Sassi 1956). An extensive survey to determine the health status of chromate workers in seven U.S. chromate production plants found no association between heart disease or effects on blood pressure and exposure to chromates. Various manufacturing processes in the plants resulted in exposure of workers to chromite ore (mean time-weighted concentration of 0-0.89 mg chromium(ni)/m3) water-soluble chromium(VI) compounds (0.005-0.17 mg chromium(VI)/m3) and acid-soluble/water-insoluble chromium compounds (including basic chromium sulfate), which may or may not entirely represent trivalent chromium (0-0.47 mg chromium/m3) (PHS 1953). No excess deaths were observed from cardiovascular diseases and ischemic heart disease in a cohort of 4,227 stainless steel production workers from 1968 to 1984 when compared to expected deaths based on national rates and matched for age, sex, and calender time (Moulin et al. 1993). No measurements of exposure were provided. In a cohort of 3,408 individuals who had worked in 4 facilities that produced chromium compounds from chromite ore in northern New Jersey sometime between 1937 and 1971, where the exposure durations of workers ranged from <1 to >20 years, and no increases in atherosclerotic heart disease were evident (Rosenman and Stanbury 1996). The proportionate mortality ratios for white and black men were 97 (confidence limits 88-107) and 90 (confidence limits 72-111), respectively. 

An arrhythmia may occur as a result of heart disease or from a disorder that affects cardiovascular function. Conditions such as emotional stress, hypoxia, and electrolyte imbalance also may trigger an arrhythmia An electrocardiogram (ECG) provides a record of the electrical activity of the heart. Careful interpretation of the ECG along with a thorough physical assessment is necessary to determine the cause and type of arrhythmia The goal of antiarrhythmic drug therapy is to restore normal cardiac function and to prevent life-threatening arrhythmias. 

CABG, coronary artery bypass MI, myocardial infarction CAD, coronary artery disease NTG, nitroglycerin CCS, Canadian cardiovascular study ECG, electrocardiogram. 

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