Menstrual cyclic variation of myocardial ischemia in premenopausal women with variant angina.
BACKGROUND
An abundance of ovarian hormones is assumed to be a major contributor to the low incidence of ischemic heart disease in premenopausal women. However, the effects of ovarian hormones remain undetermined.


OBJECTIVE
To examine whether the variation in ovarian hormone levels throughout a menstrual cycle affects myocardial ischemia in women with variant angina.


METHODS
Prospective, observational study.


METHODS
University medical center in Japan.


METHODS
10 premenopausal women with variant angina.


METHODS
Frequency of spontaneous ischemic episodes, flow-mediated dilation of brachial artery, and serum levels of estradiol and progesterone.


RESULTS
Frequency of ischemic episodes was highest from the end of the luteal phase to the beginning of the menstrual phase and was lowest in the follicular phase. Flow-mediated vasodilation and estradiol levels were lowest from the end of the luteal phase to the beginning of the menstrual phase and were highest in the follicular phase.


CONCLUSIONS
In premenopausal women with variant angina, we documented a cyclic variation in endothelial function and the frequency of myocardial ischemia that was associated with the variation in estrogen levels.
Kawano
H
H
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto City 860-8556, Japan. koumei@gpo.kumamoto-u.ac.jp
Motoyama
T
T
Ohgushi
M
M
Kugiyama
K
K
Ogawa
H
H
Yasue
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000788:Angina Pectoris, Variant / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000502:physiology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000209:etiology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014664:Vasodilation
D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol