What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine whether the thicknesses of distinct carotid artery wall layers—externa, media, and intima—are influenced by menopause and hormone replacement therapy.

June 1, 1998Obstetrics and Gynecology

Carotid Artery Wall Changes in Estrogen-Treated and -Untreated Postmenopausal Women

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Why the study?

Does hormone replacement therapy affect the thickness of the layers of the carotid artery in postmenopausal women?

Key Points

To determine whether the thicknesses of distinct carotid artery wall layers—externa, media, and intima—are influenced by menopause and hormone replacement therapy.
Sequentially recruited 129 postmenopausal women divided into three cohorts: oral HRT (n=46), estradiol implants (n=32), and untreated controls (n=51).
Identified and quantified the three individual layers of the carotid artery wall using high-resolution ultrasound.
Estradiol implants were associated with thicker overall carotid artery walls (0.84 ± 0.26 mm) and significantly thicker media layers (0.32 ± 0.11 mm) compared with other groups.
The intima layer was significantly thinner in the oral HRT group (0.25 ± 0.09 mm) than in untreated controls (0.29 ± 0.10 mm).
The intima-media ratio was significantly higher in controls (1.17 ± 0.05) compared to oral HRT (0.92 ± 0.04) and implant users (0.94 ± 0.03).

Structured PICO

Does hormone replacement therapy affect the thickness of the layers of the carotid artery in postmenopausal women?

Population

129 postmenopausal women

Intervention

Hormone replacement therapy (oral HRT [n=46] or estradiol implants [n=32])

Comparator

No hormone replacement therapy (never taken HRT) [n=51]

Outcome

Thickness of the layers of the carotid artery (externa, media, and intima) measured by high-resolution ultrasoundsurrogate

Hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women is associated with differential changes in carotid artery layers, including a thinner atheromatous intima layer, which may contribute to its vascular effects.

Discussion

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Implication

HRT may thin carotid intima in postmenopausal women; leaves open effects on cardiovascular outcomes or practice.

Cite This Study

Yves Muscat Baron (1998) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a772d96576efb0ddaf72501 https://doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(98)00064-7

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Carotid Artery Wall Changes in Estrogen-Treated and -Untreated Postmenopausal Women

Key Points

Structured PICO

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Carotid Artery Wall Changes in Estrogen-Treated and -Untreated Postmenopausal Women

Key Points

Structured PICO

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider