BACKGROUND: Although there are some data regarding the pulmonary manifestations of mustard gas exposure, little is known about its cardiovascular sequelae. METHODS: The spirometric and exercise tolerance test results of two groups of patients with chronic bronchitis one with (group A) and one without (group B) previous exposure to mustard gas and a group of veterans with no bronchitis (group C) were compared. RESULTS: The exercise capacity was similar in groups "A" and "B" patients. Both groups, showed a remarkable impairment of exercise capacity (p<0.001) compared to the group "C" individuals. Although the mean resting heart rate was significantly higher in group "A" patients than group "B" individuals (p=0.01), their mean peak exercise heart rate was significantly lower (p=0.01). Both groups, however, achieved a significant lower peak exercise heart rates, compared to the group "C" subjects (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Mustard gas exposure can limit the exercise capacity and abolish the normally expected chronotropic response to exercise.
BACKGROUND: Although there are some data regarding the pulmonary manifestations of mustard gas exposure, little is known about its cardiovascular sequelae. METHODS: The spirometric and exercise tolerance test results of two groups of patients with chronic bronchitis one with (group A) and one without (group B) previous exposure to mustard gas and a group of veterans with no bronchitis (group C) were compared. RESULTS: The exercise capacity was similar in groups "A" and "B" patients. Both groups, showed a remarkable impairment of exercise capacity (p<0.001) compared to the group "C" individuals. Although the mean resting heart rate was significantly higher in group "A" patients than group "B" individuals (p=0.01), their mean peak exercise heart rate was significantly lower (p=0.01). Both groups, however, achieved a significant lower peak exercise heart rates, compared to the group "C" subjects (p<0.001). CONCLUSION:Mustard gas exposure can limit the exercise capacity and abolish the normally expected chronotropic response to exercise.