[Heart rate, blood pressure and systolic time interval in rest and during single-hand exertion in persons exposed to lead and in control subjects]. / Verhalten von Herzfrequenz, Blutdruck und systolischen Zeitintervallen in Ruhe und während Einhandarbeit bei Bleiexponierten und Kontrollpersonen.

The hypertonic effect of lead has been known since the beginning of the twentieth century, but now - under better situation of exposure - the lead's effects on the cardiovascular system are controversially discussed. For a direct effect of lead on the heart there are only references in animals. We examined lead exposed workers and control persons using heart rate, blood pressure and systolic time intervals (STI) in rest and during handgrip exercise. In rest we found no differences between exposed and controls. During handgrip exercise there is a sign for left ventricular dysfunction in lead exposed a loss of exercise induced physiological decrease of the preejection period (PEP). Further investigations in large groups - also in follow-up - are necessary for further interpretations.

[Functional significance of lung siderosis in electrode welders]. / Zur funktionellen Bedeutung von Lungensiderosen bei Elektroschweissern.

56 electric arc welders found in a cross-sectional study to show pulmonary siderosis in full size x-rays were clinically examined. Looking for the discussed functional, relevance of such lung diseases in welders the diagnostic program included spirometry, flow-volume-curves, body-plethysmography, single breath diffusion capacity, pulmonary compliance and ergooxytensiometry. The results are supporting that "lung siderosis" in welders is associated with slight functional deterioration in the type of interstitial lung diseases.

[Value of modern study methods in the early diagnosis and assessment of asbestosis]. / Zum Wert moderner Untersuchungsmethoden für Frühdiagnostik und Begutachtung der Asbestose.

Results of examinations among 31 asbestos-workers with pleural hyalinosis are presented. The hyalinosis was ascertained by means of pleuroscopy and computed tomography. The value of both methods and special function tests in asbestosis is discussed. Diagnostic and expertising of early signs in asbestosis should not rely on x-ray of thorax but include selected and suitable function tests.

[Relations between stress intensity, sex and ergometric procedures in healthy probands and patients with obstructive respiratory diseases]. / Beziehungen zwischen Belastungsintensität, Geschlecht und Ergometrieverfahren bei Gesunden und Patienten mit obstruktiven Ventilationsstörungen.

In 223 healthy people and patients with obstructive lung diseases we examined the degree of cardiopulmonary exhaustion during two ergometric stress tests (Ergooxytensiometrie [EOT] and submaximal Ergostasetest [ET]). Main purpose of the study was to look for differences between sexes in the degree of exhaustion in relation to the type of stress test, thus clarifying the need of a special EOT-modification for women. Measured parameters were arterial oxygen pressure (pO2a), arterial carbon dioxide pressure (pCO2a), base excess (BE), heart rate, noninvasive blood pressure, Wmax and in ET additionally oxygen intake (VO2max) and oxygen pulse. In EOT men and women showed similar results regarding pressure frequence product in health people as well as in patients. Heart rate in EOT was also similar for men and women clearly below maximal range, amounting around 70% of age related maximal value. For pO2a as main indicator of pulmonary gas exchange we found no differences in healthy people as well as in patients with obstructive lung disease between both ergometric methods, but generally some what higher values in women without clinical importance. A sex related modification of the EOT for the evidence of hypoxemia is not necessary.