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D. O. Belyi, O. Nastina, G. Sydorenko, N. Kursina, O. D. Bazyka, O. S. Kovaliov, V. Bilaya,
D. A. Bazyka
State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the
National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», 53 Yuriia Illienka St., Kyiv, 04050, Ukraine
STATE OF CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM IN EMERGENCY WORKERS OF THE CHORNOBYL ACCIDENT AFTER SURVIVE FROM COVID-19
Objective: based on a comparative analysis of cardiovascular system clinical, structural, and functional state both
in emergency workers (EW) of the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) and nîn-irradiated individuals, to identify changes of cardiovascular system status that can be associated with COVID-19 or the consequences of radiation, but not with the natural progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
Materials and methods. The study included 46 EW and 21 unexposed patients (comparison group – CG) who survived COVID-19 in 2020–2022 (groups EW-C+ and CG-C+ respectively), and EW and 21 unexposed individuals without a history of COVID-19 (groups EW-C- and CG-C- respectively). All EW and CG individuals were male under longterm supervision, and underwent regular examination and treatment for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in the cardiology department of the NRCRMHO in the pre- and post-COVID period. During the examination of patients, general
clinical, laboratory, statistical methods, echocardiography, and daily electrocardiogram monitoring were used.
Results. During the comparable period of time between the pre- and post-COVID examinations in the EW and nonirradiated individuals, regardless of whether they had COVID-19 or not, a deterioration of cardiovascular system status was revealed, which consisted in the appearance of new cases of hypertensive heart disease, coronary heart disease, heart failure, rhythm and conduction disorders. Echocardiographic indicators, which characterize the structural and functional state of the left ventricle, did not have statistically significant difference both in each group
between the two examinations in pre- and post-COVID period and between different groups.
Conclusions. The lack of the significant difference in clinical course of CVD and the structural and functional state
of myocardium between patients, who were sick with COVID-19 or not, is more indicative of the natural progression
of cardiovascular system pathology. Hypothetically, it can be assumed that in elderly people (60–75 years old) having CVD, past radiation exposure does not significantly affect cardiovascular system status in the present.
Key words: emergency workers at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant; hypertensive heart disease; coronary heart
disease; heart failure; COVID-19; post-covid period; echocardiography.
Problems of Radiation Medicine and Radiobiology.
2025;30:334-351. doi: 10.33145/2304-8336-2025-30-334-351
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