Organic Vascular Changes in Workers with Vibration Tools

Summary

The authors examined 275 miners from uranium mines working with vibration tools. Particular attention was paid to vessels ofupper extremities. The mean age of the miners was 40. 1 years (S.D.=6.9), exposure to vibrations transmitted to upper extremitieslasted 12.2 years (S.D.=5.0) and only uncertain subjective complaints were recorded. The authors used method for the estimationof differences in systolic pressure by dopplerometric determination on the arteries of forearms and fingers related to pressure onthe arm and evaluated arteriovelocitograms and records of impedance rheography of the arms and fingers. The subjects weredivided into three groups according to duration of vibration exposure. Pressure gradients indicating a significant stenosis orocclusion were found in 21.6 % of forearm arteries and in 4.9 % of fingers. Collateral arterial circulation was established in16.9 % of the subjects. Insignificant hemodynamic disorder of the blood flow was recorded in 27.4 % of forearm arteries, 42.4 %of arcus palmares and 50.7 % of finger arteries. Most pathological indices were increasingly frequent in direction of periphery andin relation to increasing duration of vibration exposure. After a complex evaluation of all observed parameters a light disorder wasclassified in 21.8 % of subjects, light or medium severe in 31.3 %, medium severe in 24.7 % and medium severe or severe in 18.2 %of persons. Any disorders were lacking in four per cent of subjects. High incidence of vascular changes in workers using vibrationtools, frequently almost without clinical manifestation, should be paid attention in evaluating general health. It is expected thatorganic changes facilitate origin of vascular spasms.

Key words:
vibration, organic vascular changes, blood flow in vessels, miners