Carotid plaque regression on oestrogen replacement: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of unopposed oestrogen on atheromatous carotid plaques.


METHODS
Seventeen postmenopausal women with known carotid disease.


METHODS
Carotid intimal thickness and plaque length and thickness were measured prior to and following 3 and 6 months of treatment, using Duplex ultrasound. A total of 22 plaques were followed up.


RESULTS
There was a reduction in plaque length after 3 (-8.14%, p = 0.001) and 6 months (-28%, p = 0.001) of treatment. The reduction in plaque thickness (-18%, p = 0.004) was significant after 6 months of treatment. Reductions in intimal thickness were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that oestrogen replacement is associated with significant plaque regression.
Akkad
A
A
Menopause Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leicester, U.K.
Hartshorne
T
T
Bell
P R
PR
al-Azzawi
F
F
D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004964:Estriol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004970:Estrone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017698:Postmenopause; D014463:Ultrasonography
D004338:Drug Combinations; D004970:Estrone; D004958:Estradiol; C098904:hormonin; D004964:Estriol