A randomized trial on effects of hormone therapy on ambulatory blood pressure and lipoprotein levels in women with coronary artery disease.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate 1-year effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and lipoprotein levels in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease (CAD).


METHODS
Sixty patients at a mean age (+/- SD) of 59 +/- 7 years were randomized into three groups: conjugated equine oestrogens (CEE) 0.625 mg daily (n = 20), 50 microg 17beta-oestradiol transdermally (TTSE) per 24 h (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) for 18 days, then combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate 5 mg for 10 days. Each cycle of 28 days was repeated for one year.


RESULTS
Night-time systolic ABP had decreased by 9.6% (P= 0.0075) in 15 of 18 women in the CEE group and by 22% in 12 of 13 women (P = 0.0034) in the placebo group after 1 year. In the CEE group, a 4.6% rise in daytime systolic ABP (P< 0.05) and a 4.2% rise in night-time systolic ABP (P< 0.05) appeared from baseline to 6 months in 13 of 18 women. In the CEE group (14 women analysed), high-density lipoprotein levels showed a 15.8% increase (P= 0.0018) in 13 women, low-density lipoprotein levels a 15.2% decrease (P= 0.0129) in 12 women and total cholesterol levels a 7.5% decrease (P = 0.057) in 11 women after 1 year. Triglyceride levels showed no changes. In the TTSE group and in the placebo group, with 12 and 13 women analysed respectively, no significant changes appeared.


CONCLUSIONS
One year of HRT in patients with CAD does not influence ABP. Oral HRT induces beneficial effects on lipoprotein levels.
Pripp
U
U
Department of Cardiology, Karolinska Institutet and Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Hall
G
G
Csemiczky
G
G
Eksborg
S
S
Landgren
B M
BM
Schenck-Gustafsson
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged
D008074:Lipoproteins