Carotid plaque regression on oestrogen replacement: a pilot study.

Akkad, A; Hartshorne, T; Bell, P R; al-Azzawi, F · Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg · 1996

prospective_cohort · Level II

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Abstract

To investigate the effect of unopposed oestrogen on atheromatous carotid plaques. Seventeen postmenopausal women with known carotid disease. Carotid intimal thickness and plaque length and thickness were measured prior to and following 3 and 6 months of treatment, using Duplex ultrasound. A total of 22 plaques were followed up. There was a reduction in plaque length after 3 (-8.14%, p = 0.001) and 6 months (-28%, p = 0.001) of treatment. The reduction in plaque thickness (-18%, p = 0.004) was significant after 6 months of treatment. Reductions in intimal thickness were not statistically significant. Our results suggest that oestrogen replacement is associated with significant plaque regression.

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