Left ventricular diastolic function in workers occupationally exposed to mercury vapour without clinical presentation of cardiac involvement

The aim of the study was to evaluate left ventricular diastolic function in workers occupationally exposed to mercury vapour without clinical presentation of cardiac involvement. The studies included 115 workers (92 men and 23 women) occupationally exposed to mercury vapour without clinical presentation of cardiac involvement (mean age: 47.83 ± 8.29). Blood samples were taken to determine blood lipid profile, urine was collected to estimate mercury concentration (HgU) and echocardiographic examination was performed to evaluate diastolic function of the left ventricle. In the entire group of workers occupationally exposed to mercury vapour without clinical presentation of cardiac involvement, Spearman correlations analysis demonstrated the following significant linear relationships: between body mass index (BMI) and ratio of maximal early diastolic mitral flow velocity/early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/E`) (r = 0.32, p < 0.05), between serum HDL concentration and E/E` (r = − 0.22, p < 0.05), between HgU and E/E` (r = 0.35, p < 0.05), between HgU and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT`) (r = 0.41, p < 0.05), between HgU and ratio of maximal early diastolic mitral flow velocity/maximal late diastolic mitral flow velocity (E/A) (r = − 0.31, p < 0.05) and between serum HDL concentration and E/A (r = 0.43, p < 0,05). In logistic regression analysis it as shown that independent factors of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction risk in the study group included a higher urine mercury concentration, a higher value of BMI and a lower serum HDL concentration (ORHgU = 1.071, ORBMI = 1.200, ORHDL = 0.896, p < 0.05). Summing up, occupational exposure to mercury vapour may be linked to impaired left ventricular diastolic function in workers without clinical presentation of cardiac involvement.

► Study aimed at evaluation of LVDD in workers occupationally exposed to Hg.
► There was significant linear relationships between HgU and E/E`.
► Independent risk factor of LVDD in study group included higher HgU.
► Independent risk factor of LVDD in study group included higher BMI and lower HDL.
► Occupational exposure to Hg may be linked to LVDD.