Menstrual cyclic variation of myocardial ischemia in premenopausal women with variant angina.

Abstract

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.

DESIGN:

Prospective, observational study.

SETTING:

University medical center in Japan.

PARTICIPANTS:

10 premenopausal women with variant angina.

MEASUREMENTS:

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.

• Authors: H Kawano, T Motoyama, M Ohgushi, K Kugiyama, H Ogawa, H Yasue
• Journal: Annals of internal medicine (Ann Intern Med) Vol. 135 Issue 11 Pg. 977-81 (Dec 04 2001) ISSN: 0003-4819 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11730398 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Progesterone
• Estradiol

Topics

• Adult
• Angina Pectoris, Variant (blood, complications)
• Brachial Artery (physiology)
• Estradiol (blood)
• Female
• Humans
• Linear Models
• Menstrual Cycle (blood)
• Middle Aged
• Myocardial Ischemia (etiology)
• Progesterone (blood)
• Prospective Studies
• Vasodilation