Peripheral atherosclerosis and premorbid heart failure in workers of key occupations in the coal industry

Introduction. The premorbid course of circulatory system diseases poses a threat not only due to the acute manifestation of cardiovascular catastrophes, which may critically affect health and life, but also by potentially disrupting technological processes in the workplace and posing a risk to colleagues’ lives.

Materials and methods. The study included four hundred thirty two men employed in key occupations within the coal mining industry. The average age of the miners was 46.96 ± 0.91 years, and for workers in open-pit coal mines – 46.90 ± 0.36 years, p = 0.902. Echocardiography with myocardial strain calculation and ultrasound examination of major vessels was performed using the expert-class device “Vivid E9.” Serum concentrations of the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide precursor and galectin-3 were determined using the solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.

Results. The prevalence of atherosclerotic vascular lesions among coal industry 40 to 55 years workers in the southern Kemerovo region – Kuzbass, was 46.4% in the form of atherosclerotic plaques and 57.7% when considering intima-media thickness. Isoechoic plaques predominated, accounting for 79.5% of cases. Atherosclerotic plaques were detected in 46.2% of miners and 47.4% of open-pit workers (p = 0.928). Objective signs corresponding to the premorbid heart failure were identified in 56.7% of all participants, with a detection rate of 58.2% among miners and 53.9% among open-pit workers (p = 0.428).

Limitations. The study’s limitations are related to the significant time required for instrumental examinations during preventive medical check-ups.

Conclusion. Despite the strict inclusion criteria, a high prevalence of peripheral atherosclerosis and preclinical heart failure was identified among coal industry workers in the southern Kemerovo region – Kuzbass.

Compliance with Ethical Standards. In accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association (2013 edition). The study protocol met the requirements of the Bioethics Committee of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Research Institute for Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases” (Protocol No. 4, §1 of November 21, 2021). All participants gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study.

Contribution:
Filimonov E.S. – concept and study design, statistical processing, manuscript writing;
Korotenko O.Yu. – data collection, manuscript writing;
Rumpel O.A. – laboratory analysis processing, manuscript writing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: March 3, 2025 / Accepted: April 22, 2025 / Published: April 30, 2025

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