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Atrial fibrillation and sudden death related to occupational solvent exposure
Author(s) -
Kaufman Joel D.,
Silverstein Michael A.,
MoureEraso Rafael
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.4700250512
Subject(s) - medicine , degreasing , atrial fibrillation , organic solvent , solvent exposure , occupational exposure , sudden death , solvent , chlorinated solvents , cardiology , medical emergency , organic chemistry , ecology , chemistry , materials science , contamination , chemical engineering , engineering , biology , composite material
Two cases of atrial fibrillation and one case of sudden death occurred in workers exposed to trifluorotrichloroethane (CFC 113) as a solvent/degreasing agent. This agent and related halogenated hydrocarbons are widely used in industry as solvents and degreasing agents, and have been previously linked to ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac sudden death when inhaled in excessive concentrations. We suggest that occupational overexposure to halogenated hydrocarbons should be considered a potential precipitant for atrial as well as ventricular arrhythmias. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.