title: Impedance cardiography - Old method, new opportunities. Part II. Testing of cardiovascular response to various factors of work environment.
abstract: Impedance cardiography seems to be a very good, although underappreciated diagnostic method. What may distinguish it from among the many research methods is the fact that it enables non-invasive monitoring of cardiac output, stroke volume and systemic vascular resistance. Holter recording of the hemodynamic parameters makes it possible to study them not only in stationary (hospital, outpatient clinic) conditions, but also during household or professional activities, e.g., during road vehicle driving. Assessment of the trends of changes in the circulatory system of the employee at work makes it possible to judge whether the type of work performed by the worker is well tolerated - whether it is not too hard or too stressful. This is important, therefore, impedance cardiography can be extensively used in occupational medicine. Provision of preventive care to workers according to current standards requires, on the one hand, the use of the latest diagnostic methods while, on the other hand, the methods must be inexpensive, because otherwise the employer would not be able or willing to pay the associated costs. Impedance cardiography meets those criteria; however, few data is available in literature worldwide on the use of this method in the research on the impact of occupational work on cardiovascular responses of the employees. This work reports the use of impedance cardiography in studies on the various aspects of work environment.
authors.affiliation: Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Department of Work Physiology and Ergonomics). jadzias@imp.lodz.pl.
authors.forename: Jadwiga
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Siedlecka
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland (Faculty of Medicine).
authors.forename: Patryk
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Siedlecki
authors.affiliation: Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Department of Work Physiology and Ergonomics).
authors.forename: Alicja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bortkiewicz
mesh_terms: D001334:Automobile Driving; D002307:Cardiography, Impedance; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016272:Occupational Health; D009787:Occupational Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology; D016526:Workload
keywords: cardiovascular system; drivers’ health; impedance cardiography; occupational stress; physical activity; work environment