Effects of oral and transdermal low-dose estrogen therapy on echocardiographic parameters of cardiac function.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of transdermal 17 beta-estradiol (E(2)) compared with oral unopposed as well as opposed E(2) on echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function.


METHODS
A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study.


METHODS
Gynecologic and cardiologic outpatient departments.


METHODS
One hundred fifty-two healthy hysterectomized postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Participants received daily placebo (n = 49) or transdermal E(2) (50 microg; tE(2) group, n = 33), or oral E(2) (1 mg; oE(2) group, n = 37), or oral E(2) (1 mg) combined with gestodene (25 microg; oE(2)+G group, n = 33) for thirteen 28-day treatment cycles.


METHODS
M-mode, quantitative two-dimensional, and Doppler echocardiographic measurements were performed at baseline and after 1 year.


RESULTS
Compared with placebo, tE(2) and oE(2) showed no statistically significant changes in LV function. oE(2)+G resulted in a statistically significant favorable increase in peak flow velocity, flow velocity integral, and mean acceleration. Furthermore, a favorable decrease was observed in interventricular septum thickness and ejection time.


CONCLUSIONS
After 1 year of unopposed E(2), LV function remained unchanged. The oE(2)+G treatment showed a potential beneficial influence on LV systolic function.
Vogelvang
Tatjana E
TE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Project Aging Women and the Institute for Cardiovascular Research-Vrije Universiteit, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
van der Mooren
Marius J
MJ
Kamp
Otto
O
Mijatovic
Velja
V
Visser
Cees A
CA
Kenemans
Peter
P
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004452:Echocardiography; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D006346:Heart Septum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011184:Postoperative Period; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D013599:Systole; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects
D004338:Drug Combinations; D009652:Norpregnenes; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; C033273:Gestodene; D004958:Estradiol