Schweiz Med Wochenschr
February 1997
The high prevalence of chronic respiratory problems in cleaning technicians (so-called "liquidators") of the destroyed reactor at Chernobyl and prolonged persistence of inhaled radioactive particles in their lungs suggested a substantial link between radioactive exposure and the diseases observed. Taking into account the importance of the problem, we started this study with the aim of establishing an effective and useful therapeutic program and assessing its efficacy during a one-year period of treatment. Chernobyl liquidators (n = 20) were screened by clinical history, physical examination, lung function test, chest radiograph, electrocardiogram, complete blood cell counts, serum chemistry, immunological blood tests, and complete BAL fluid investigation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExamination of respiratory system in subjects exposed to long-term inhalation of radioactive dust when engaged in repair works after the Chernobyl accident have revealed specific pathology of the respiratory organs caused by long-term persistence of radioactive dust in the lung tissue. A special regimen of combined treatment has been developed which included: bronchoalveolar lavage, antioxidants, broncholytics, mucolytics, extracorporeal procedures, physical rehabilitation. 1-year monitoring of subjects on this treatment versus untreated controls proved the above regimen beneficial as the patients exhibited less intensive clinical symptoms, less frequent exacerbations of infectious and inflammatory processes, higher quality of life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAfter examination of cardiorespiratory function in 10 males exposed to Chernobyl accident unfavorable factors at the age of 31-45 years suffering from chronic obstructive bronchitis (7 cases) and mixed bronchial asthma (3 cases) it was established that the patients had ventilation disorders of mixed genesis (moderate obstructive and respiratory affections), frequently occurring decreased specific diffusion (DLCO/Va) in normal total diffusion capacity of the lungs, inefficient gas exchange, midly declined left ventricular pump capacity and contractility. In the above patients a relationship was found between parameters of central hemodynamics assessed at echo-CG and severity of ventilation impairment and respiratory insufficiency.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe authors performed this investigation to ascertain the role of radioactive dust inhalation in the onset of respiratory diseases and determination of clinicomorphological features of such pathology. The authors have found that work in conditions of massive dust exposure, stay in the dust zone for a month and longer in 1986-1987 were the decisive risk factors of respiratory impairment. The examination covered 28 patients who had acute symptoms of inhalation damage to respiratory system when performing their job in the contaminated zone.
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