Objective To investigate the structural and functional changes of heart in elderly soldiers who was working with radiation producing equipments.The involvement of cardiovascular system in radiation and its intensity was investigated in this study.

Methods Fifty elderly males(> 60 years old)who were exposed to radiation producing equipments(exposure group)and 50 elderly(> 60 years old)retired male commanders with out radiation exposure history(control group)were enrolled in this study.Echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac structure and function was conducted with Siemens Sonline G60 ultrasound system.12-lead electrocardiogram(ECG)and routine physical examination had also been done in both groups.

Results Ejection fraction, minor axis reduced rate had no distinct difference between exposure group and control group(t= 1.52 and t=1.68, P > 0.05).Cardiac output, cardiac stroke volume, stroke index, ventricular diastolic flow velocity E/A ratios in exposure group were lower than control group(t=11.81, t=7.11, t=7.34 and t=7.88, p < 0.001); left atrial and ventricular expansion is larger in exposure group (t=4.85, p < 0.01; t=6.61, p < 0.001); also, higher rates of ECG abnormalities was found in exposure group(χ²=9.72 andχ²=5.19, P < 0.05).

Conclusion Chronic low dose radiation may have effects on the cardiovascular sys-tem, so dynamic monitoring of changes in cardiac structure and function is worth on the safety and health for persons who may exposure to radiation and help to prevent early and long-term effects of radiation.