Continuous ambulatory electrocardiography among workers exposed to methylmethacrylate.
Methylmethacrylate (MMA), a widely used monomer in the manufacture of acrylic polymers, has been reported to cause cardiac troubles in industrial workers. The effects of MMA on the heart was assessed by continuous ambulatory electrocardiographic records. The study was performed in 22 occupationally exposed workers and in 18 healthy controls. Our study did not support the hypothesis that MMA is responsible for cardiomyodystrophy. However, supraventricular and ventricular ectopic beats were significantly more frequent among exposed workers versus controls (P < 0.01). Moreover, repolarization changes such as large T waves were noted only in exposed workers (eight cases against none in the control group). Although there was no clear connection between MMA exposure and the recorded cardiac changes in the exposed group, the role of MMA cannot be totally excluded.
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005117:Cardiac Complexes, Premature / Q000139:chemically induced; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory / Q000187:drug effects*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D020366:Methylmethacrylate; D008768:Methylmethacrylates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013612:Tachycardia, Ectopic Atrial / Q000139:chemically induced; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000139:chemically induced
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001843:Bone Cements; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D020366:Methylmethacrylate