This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Modena, M. G. Articles by Rossi, R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Modena, M. G. Articles by Rossi, R. Pubmed/NCBI databases Compound via MeSH Substance via MeSH Hazardous Substances DB ESTRADIOL Medline Plus Health Information High Blood Pressure Related Collections Cardiovascular Pharmacology Other hypertension Hypertrophy Echocardiography

(Hypertension. 1999;34:1041-1046.)
© 1999 American Heart Association, Inc.

Scientific Contributions

Effects of Transdermal 17ß-Estradiol on Left Ventricular Anatomy and Performance in Hypertensive Women

Maria Grazia Modena; Nicola Muia, Jr; Pietro Aveta; Rosella Molinari; Rosario Rossi

From the Institute of Cardiology II, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Modena, Italy.

Correspondence to Maria Grazia Modena, MD, FESC, FACC, Institute of Cardiology II, Policlinico Hospital, Via del Pozzo, 71, 41100 Modena, Italy. E-mail modena.m{at}policlinico.mo.it

Abstract—To reduce cardiovascular complications, antihypertensive therapy should not only normalize blood pressure but also induce a regression of structural abnormalities, which are the expression of end-organ damage. We investigated the effects of transdermal 17ß-estradiol, combined with standard antihypertensive therapy, on the modification of left ventricular anatomy and systolic performance in hypertensive postmenopausal women. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we enrolled 169 postmenopausal women with mild or moderate hypertension. Eighty-six patients (group 1) received transdermal 17ß-estradiol (50 µg/d) and norethisterone acetate (2.5 mg/d, orally), and 83 patients (group 2) received placebo. At baseline, all women underwent M-mode and 2-D echocardiogram, which was repeated after 6, 12, and 18 months of follow-up. After 18 months of treatment, we observed a significant decrease in left ventricular diastolic septal and posterior wall thickness and mass in both groups. Furthermore, after 18 months, left ventricular mass was significantly less than in the estrogen-treated group. No significant modifications were observed in left ventricular systolic and diastolic dimensions or in systolic performance, as expressed by left ventricular fractional shortening. In conclusion, transdermal 17ß-estradiol, which is associated with antihypertensive therapy, may contribute in the reduction of left ventricular mass in hypertensive postmenopausal women.

Key Words: hypertension, mild • hypertrophy • trials • drugs • estrogen • menopause • echocardiography

This article has been cited by other articles:

				V. Jazbutyte, P. A. Arias-Loza, K. Hu, J. Widder, V. Govindaraj, C. von Poser-Klein, J. Bauersachs, K.-H. Fritzemeier, C. Hegele-Hartung, L. Neyses, et al. Ligand-dependent activation of ER{beta} lowers blood pressure and attenuates cardiac hypertrophy in ovariectomized spontaneously hypertensive rats Cardiovasc Res, March 1, 2008; 77(4): 774 - 781. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. F. Deschepper and B. Llamas Hypertensive Cardiac Remodeling in Males and Females: From the Bench to the Bedside Hypertension, March 1, 2007; 49(3): 401 - 407. [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Pelzer, P.-A. A. Loza, K. Hu, B. Bayer, C. Dienesch, L. Calvillo, J. F. Couse, K. S. Korach, L. Neyses, and G. Ertl Increased Mortality and Aggravation of Heart Failure in Estrogen Receptor-{beta} Knockout Mice After Myocardial Infarction Circulation, March 29, 2005; 111(12): 1492 - 1498. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. H Naylor, L. F Arnolda, J. A Deague, D. Playford, A. Maurogiovanni, G. O'Driscoll, and D. J Green Reduced ventricular flow propagation velocity in elite athletes is augmented with the resumption of exercise training J. Physiol., March 15, 2005; 563(3): 957 - 963. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. van Eickels, R. D. Patten, M. J. Aronovitz, A. Alsheikh-Ali, K. Gostyla, F. Celestin, C. Grohe, M. E. Mendelsohn, and R. H. Karas 17-Beta-Estradiol increases cardiac remodeling and mortality in mice with myocardial infarction J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., June 4, 2003; 41(11): 2084 - 2092. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Xu, I. A Arenas, S. J Armstrong, and S. T Davidge Estrogen modulation of left ventricular remodeling in the aged heart Cardiovasc Res, February 1, 2003; 57(2): 388 - 394. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. G. ROSTAND Coronary Heart Disease in Chronic Renal Insufficiency: Some Management Considerations J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., October 1, 2000; 11(10): 1948 - 1956. [Full Text]