The effect of hormone replacement therapy on carotid arteries: measurement with a high frequency ultrasound system.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on carotid arteries in postmenopausal women with a high frequency ultrasound system.


METHODS
In a clinical cross-sectional study carotid artery layers were measured in 82 postmenopausal women receiving a sequential regimen of HRT (oestradiol valerate 2 mg and dydrogesterone 10 mg) and in 70 postmenopausal women without HRT. Measurements of the left carotid artery layers (externa, media, intima) were taken with a single mechanically activated 22.5-MHz transducer with an effective band width of 8 MHz.


RESULTS
A statistically significant increase in thickness of the media layer of the carotid artery was observed in the HRT group (0.34 +/- 0.06 mm) as compared to the untreated group (0.27 +/- 0.03 mm). The media/intima ratio of the treated group was statistically significantly higher than that of the untreated group (P < 0.05). The mean strength of the carotid wall was 0.70 +/- 0.17 mm in the 70 postmenopausal women without HRT and 0.76 +/- 0.24 mm in the 82 patients undergoing HRT.


CONCLUSIONS
HRT has a morphological effect on the carotid arteries in postmenopausal women. These findings support a cardioprotective effect, especially in terms of prevention of atherosclerosis. This effect can be measured non-invasively by high frequency ultrasound.
Sator
M O
MO
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Vienna, Medical School, Austria.
Joura
E A
EA
Gruber
D M
DM
Wieser
F
F
Jirecek
S
S
Tschugguel
W
W
Huber
J C
JC
D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004394:Dydrogesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D004958:Estradiol; D004394:Dydrogesterone