scholarly journals Pharmacist-led medicines optimisation clinic for implantable cardiac device patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Patel ◽  
S Fhadil ◽  
F Zemrak ◽  
P Wright ◽  
C Rochford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Quality Improvement Initiative ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Cardiac Device ◽  
Lifestyle Choices ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Medicines Optimisation

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background/Introduction: Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) enhance detection of atrial fibrillation (AF), providing a comprehensive measure of AF burden.  Patients with device-detected AF are usually referred for anticoagulation to their local anticoagulation clinic or General Practitioner (GP), which often delays time to initiation, potentially increasing the risk of stroke.  In addition, AF is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.  Optimising blood pressure, cholesterol and lifestyle choices can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and associated mortality in these patients. Purpose To develop and evaluate an innovative pathway to allow Specialist Cardiac Pharmacists to promptly assess and initiate anticoagulation in patients with device-detected AF, and additionally address risk factors for prevention of cardiovascular disease. Methods As part of a quality improvement initiative, a pathway was developed where patients with AF identified on CIED who require anticoagulation are referred for assessment and management to a pharmacist-led optimisation clinic.  Specialist Cardiac Pharmacists contact patients within 5 days of referral to discuss and initiate or optimise treatment for AF, blood pressure, cholesterol and lifestyle choices.  Patients deemed inappropriate for anticoagulation were referred back to the medical team for further assessment.  All patients received a follow-up telephone consultation at 4-6 weeks to assess tolerability, adherence and response to treatment. Results Between September 2020 and February 2021, 22 patients were referred to the optimisation clinic. Mean age was 74.32 +/- 12.34 years and 77% were men.  Mean CHA2DS2VASc was 3.4 +/- 0.8 and mean HASBLED was 1.2 +/- 0.6. The average time from referral to anticoagulation was 3 days compared to 4 weeks prior to implementation of the pathway. All patients were assessed and appropriately anticoagulated, whereas approximately 15% of patients were still not anticoagulated at 3 months prior to implementation of the pathway despite referral to their local clinic. All patients had their blood pressure and cholesterol reviewed, which were optimised in 23% and 41% of patients respectively.  All patients confirmed adherence and suffered no adverse effects on follow-up. Conclusion(s): We report the safe and successful implementation of a pharmacist-led medicines optimisation clinic.  This has significantly reduced time to anticoagulation without compromising safety, as well as assuring all patients are appropriately anticoagulated.  In addition, over half of patients required blood pressure and/or cholesterol optimisation to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, a service not previously provided for this cohort of patients.

scholarly journals Future risk of cardiovascular disease risk factors and events in women after a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy

Heart ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (16) ◽  
pp. 1273-1278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Benschop ◽  
Johannes J Duvekot ◽  
Jeanine E Roeters van Lennep
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽  
Hypertensive Disorder ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk Assessment ◽  
Increased Risk

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), such as gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia, affect up to 10% of all pregnancies. These women have on average a twofold higher risk to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life as compared with women with normotensive pregnancies. This increased risk might result from an underlying predisposition to CVD, HDP itself or a combination of both. After pregnancy women with HDP show an increased risk of classical cardiovascular risk factors including chronic hypertension, renal dysfunction, dyslipidemia, diabetes and subclinical atherosclerosis. The prevalence and onset of cardiovascular risk factors depends on the severity of the HDP and the coexistence of other pregnancy complications. At present, guidelines addressing postpartum cardiovascular risk assessment for women with HDP show a wide variation in their recommendations. This makes cardiovascular follow-up of women with a previous HDP confusing and non-coherent. Some guidelines advise to initiate cardiovascular follow-up (blood pressure, weight and lifestyle assessment) 6–8 weeks after pregnancy, whereas others recommend to start 6–12 months after pregnancy. Concurrent blood pressure monitoring, lipid and glucose assessment is recommended to be repeated annually to every 5 years until the age of 50 years when women will qualify for cardiovascular risk assessment according to all international cardiovascular prevention guidelines.

scholarly journals Blood Pressure Classification of 2017 Associated With Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality in Young Chinese Adults

Hypertension ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 251-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shouling Wu ◽  
Yongjian Song ◽  
Shuohua Chen ◽  
Mengyi Zheng ◽  
Yihan Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Chinese Adults ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
New Guidelines ◽  
Stage 1

The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association introduced new guidelines for blood pressure (BP) classification in 2017. We explored associations between the newly defined categories and eventual cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, stroke, and all-cause mortality in young Chinese adults. In the community-based Kailuan Study, 16 006 participants aged 18 to 40 years and examined at baseline in 2006/2007 underwent 2-yearly follow-up examinations up to 2016 to 2017. Taking the highest BP reading recorded by manual sphygmomanometry at baseline in 2006 to 2007, we categorized the BP according to the new guidelines. Outcome parameters were CVD events, stroke, and all-cause mortality. During follow-up (mean: 10.9±0.63 years), we observed 458 events (CVD, 167; stroke, 119; and all-cause death, 172). After multivariable adjustment, hazard ratios for CVD events were for elevated BP 0.80 (95% CI, 0.28–2.30), stage 1 hypertension 1.82 (95% CI, 1.12–2.94), and stage 2 hypertension 3.54 (95% CI, 2.18–5.77) versus normal BP. Similar results were obtained for stroke and all-cause death. In Cox regression analysis with BP category entered as time-dependent covariate, stage 1 hypertension was not associated with increased risk ( P >0.10). In the subgroup of individuals taking antihypertensive medication during follow-up, none of the BP categories was significantly associated with the incidence of CVD events. During a mean follow-up of 10.9 years, the newly defined category of stage 1 hypertension in young untreated Chinese adults aged <40 years at baseline was associated with an increased risk for CVD, stroke, and all-cause mortality. This increased risk occurred, however, after progression to stage 2 hypertension. The data may help validating the new BP classification system for young adult Chinese.

scholarly journals Elevated blood pressure in the emergency department – a risk factor for incident cardiovascular disease: An EHR-based cohort study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Oras ◽  
H. Häbel ◽  
P. H. Skoglund ◽  
P. Svensson
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Number Needed To Screen ◽  
Increased Risk

ABSTRACTObjectivesIn the emergency department (ED), high blood pressure (BP) is commonly observed but mostly used to evaluate patients’ health in the short-term. We aimed to study whether ED-measured BP is associated with incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke in long-term, and to estimate the number needed to screen (NNS) to prevent ASCVD.DesignElectronic Health Records (EHR) and national register-based cohort study. The association between BP and incident ASCVD was studied with Cox-regression.SettingTwo university hospital emergency departments in Sweden.Data sourcesBP data were obtained from EDs EHR, and outcome information was acquired through the Swedish National Patient Register for all participants.ParticipantsAll patients ≥18 years old who visited the EDs between 2010 to 2016, with an obtained BP (n=300,193).Main outcome measuresIncident ASCVD, MI, and stroke during follow-up.ResultsThe subjects were followed for a median of 42 months. 8,999 incident ASCVD events occurred (MI: 4,847, stroke: 6,661). Both diastolic and systolic BP (SBP) was associated with incident ASCVD, MI, and stroke with a progressively increased risk for SBP within hypertension grade 1 (HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.24), 2 (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.47), and 3 (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.49 to 1.77). The six-year cumulative incidence of ASCVD was 12% for patients with SBP ≥180 mmHg compared to 2% for normal levels. To prevent one ASCVD event during the median follow-up, NNS was estimated to 151, whereas NNT to 71.ConclusionsBP in the ED is associated with incident ASCVD, MI, and stroke. High BP recordings in EDs should not be disregarded as isolated events, but an opportunity to detect and improve treatment of hypertension. ED-measured BP provides an important and under-used tool with great potential to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension.

scholarly journals The Association of Stage 1 Hypertension, Defined by the 2017 ACC/AHA Guidelines, With Cardiovascular Events Among Rural Women in Liaoning Province, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiake Wu ◽  
Weili Duan ◽  
Yundi Jiao ◽  
SiTong Liu ◽  
LiQiang Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Liaoning Province ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Stage 1 ◽  
Cvd Mortality

Background: The recent American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines redefined blood pressure levels 130-139/80-89 mmHg as stage 1 hypertension. However, the association of stage 1 hypertension with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its age-specific differences among the rural women in Liaoning province remains unclear. It needs to be quantified in considering guideline adoption in China.Methods: In total, 19,374 women aged ≥35 years with complete data and no cardiovascular disease at baseline were followed in a rural community-based prospective cohort study of Liaoning province, China. Follow-up for the new cases of CVD was conducted from the end of the baseline survey to the end of the third follow-up survey (January 1, 2008–December 31, 2017). Adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were applied to estimate the Hazard Ratios (HR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) with the normal blood pressure as a reference.Results: During the median follow-up period of 12.5 years, 1,419 subjects suffered all-cause death, 748 developed CVD, 1,224 participants suffered stroke and 241 had Myocardial Infarction (MI). Compared with normal BP, Stage 1 hypertension had a HR (95% CI) of 1.694 (1.202–2.387) in CVD mortality, 1.575 (1.244–1.994) in the incidence of stroke. The results obtained that the risk of CVD mortality and incidence of stroke was significantly associated with stage 1 hypertension in rural women aged ≥45 years after adjusting for other potential factors. However, in participants aged 35–44 years, stage 1 hypertension was not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.Conclusions: The newly defined stage 1 hypertension is associated with an increased risk of CVD mortality and also incidence of stroke in the rural women aged ≥45 years population of Liaoning province. This study can be a good reference for health policy makers and clinicians workers to make evidence-based decisions toward lowering burden of cardiovascular disease more efficient, timely measures on prevention and control of stage 1 hypertension in China.

scholarly journals Prediction of Cardiovascular Events by Type I Central Systolic Blood Pressure

Hypertension ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence Lamarche ◽  
Mohsen Agharazii ◽  
François Madore ◽  
Rémi Goupil
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Events ◽  
Administrative Databases ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events ◽  
Type I ◽  
Increased Risk

Compared with brachial blood pressure (BP), central systolic BP (SBP) can provide a better indication of the hemodynamic strain inflicted on target organs, but it is unclear whether this translates into improved cardiovascular risk stratification. We aimed to assess which of central or brachial BP best predicts cardiovascular risk and to identify the central SBP threshold associated with increased risk of future cardiovascular events. This study included 13 461 participants of CARTaGENE with available central BP and follow-up data from administrative databases but without cardiovascular disease or antihypertensive medication. Central BP was estimated by radial artery tonometry, calibrated for brachial SBP and diastolic BP (type I), and a generalized transfer function (SphygmoCor). The outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events. Cox proportional-hazards models, differences in areas under the curves, net reclassification indices, and integrated discrimination indices were calculated. Youden index was used to identify SBP thresholds. Over a median follow-up of 8.75 years, 1327 major adverse cardiovascular events occurred. The differences in areas under the curves, net reclassification indices, and integrated discrimination indices were of 0.2% ([95% CI, 0.1–0.3] P <0.01), 0.11 ([95% CI, 0.03–0.20] P =0.01), and 0.0004 ([95% CI, −0.0001 to 0.0014] P =0.3), all likely not clinically significant. Central and brachial SBPs of 112 mm Hg (95% CI, 111.2–114.1) and 121 mm Hg (95% CI, 120.2–121.9) were identified as optimal BP thresholds. In conclusion, central BP measured with a type I device is statistically but likely not clinically superior to brachial BP in a general population without prior cardiovascular disease. Based on the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, the optimal type I central SBP appears to be 112 mm Hg.

Effects of Intensive Blood Pressure Control in Patients with Evident Cardiovascular Disease: An Investigation Using the SPRINT Study Data

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 298-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charalambos Vlachopoulos ◽  
Dimitrios Terentes-Printzios ◽  
Konstantinos Aznaouridis ◽  
Nikolaos Ioakeimidis ◽  
Panagiotis Xaplanteris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Beneficial Effect ◽  
Harmful Effect ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Intensive Treatment ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Stroke Incidence ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
All Cause Mortality

Background: Recent data advocate adoption of a more intensive treatment strategy for management of blood pressure (BP). </P><P> Objective: We investigated whether the overall effects of the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) are applicable to cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients. </P><P> Methods: In a post hoc analysis we analyzed data from SPRINT that randomly assigned 9361 individuals to a systolic BP (SBP) target of <120 mmHg (intensive treatment) or <140 mmHg (standard treatment). 1562 patients had clinically evident CVD (age=70.3±9.3 years, 24% females) at study entry and were followed for 3.1 years. Further, we assessed the effect of low (<150 mmHg) baseline SBP on outcome. </P><P> Results: In CVD patients, there was no benefit from the intensive treatment regarding all endpoints, except for a marginally significant benefit on all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45 to 1.00; p=0.0509). Further, while there was no increase in serious adverse events (SAE) in the intensive group, there was increased risk for study-related SAE, acute renal failure and electrolyte abnormalities. In patients with low baseline SBP there was a beneficial effect on allcause mortality (HR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.96; p=0.033), but with greater stroke incidence (HR: 2.94; 95% CI: 1.04 to 8.29; p=0.042). </P><P> Conclusion: We confirm the beneficial effect of the intensive strategy in SPRINT study on all-cause mortality and the harmful effect on specific adverse outcomes in patients with CVD. However, in patients with low baseline SBP stroke may increase.

scholarly journals Skin autofluorescence predicts new cardiovascular disease and mortality in people with type 2 diabetes

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henderikus E. Boersma ◽  
Robert P. van Waateringe ◽  
Melanie M. van der Klauw ◽  
Reindert Graaff ◽  
Andrew D. Paterson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Fasting Blood Glucose ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Oral Glucose ◽  
Skin Autofluorescence ◽  
Z Score

Abstract Background Skin autofluorescence (SAF) is a non-invasive marker of tissue accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGE). Recently, we demonstrated in the general population that elevated SAF levels predict the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. We evaluated whether elevated SAF may predict the development of CVD and mortality in individuals with T2D. Methods We included 2349 people with T2D, available baseline SAF measurements (measured with the AGE reader) and follow-up data from the Lifelines Cohort Study. Of them, 2071 had no clinical CVD at baseline. 60% were already diagnosed with diabetes (median duration 5, IQR 2–9 years), while 40% were detected during the baseline examination by elevated fasting blood glucose ≥7.0 mmol/l) and/or HbA1c ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol). Results Mean (±SD) age was 57 ± 12 yrs., BMI 30.2 ± 5.4 kg/m2. 11% of participants with known T2D were treated with diet, the others used oral glucose-lowering medication, with or without insulin; 6% was using insulin alone. Participants with known T2D had higher SAF than those with newly-detected T2D (SAF Z-score 0.56 ± 0.99 vs 0.34 ± 0.89 AU, p < 0.001), which reflects a longer duration of hyperglycaemia in the former group. Participants with existing CVD and T2D had the highest SAF Z-score: 0.78 ± 1.25 AU. During a median follow-up of 3.7 yrs., 195 (7.6%) developed an atherosclerotic CVD event, while 137 (5.4%) died. SAF was strongly associated with the combined outcome of a new CVD event or mortality (OR 2.59, 95% CI 2.10–3.20, p < 0.001), as well as incidence of CVD (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.61–2.61, p < 0.001) and death (OR 2.98, 2.25–3.94, p < 0.001) as a single outcome. In multivariable analysis for the combined endpoint, SAF retained its significance when sex, systolic blood pressure, HbA1c, total cholesterol, eGFR, as well as antihypertensive and statin medication were included. In a similar multivariable model, SAF was independently associated with mortality as a single outcome, but not with incident CVD. Conclusions Measuring SAF can assist in prediction of incident cardiovascular disease and mortality in individuals with T2D. SAF showed a stronger association with future CVD events and mortality than cholesterol or blood pressure levels.

scholarly journals Sex-Specific Associations between Blood Pressure and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation Subtypes in the Tromsø Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1514
Author(s):  
Hilde Espnes ◽  
Jocasta Ball ◽  
Maja-Lisa Løchen ◽  
Tom Wilsgaard ◽  
Inger Njølstad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Pressure Management ◽  
Reference Models ◽  
Proportional Hazards Regression ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
Increased Risk

The aim of this study was to explore sex-specific associations between systolic blood pressure (SBP), hypertension, and the risk of incident atrial fibrillation (AF) subtypes, including paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent AF, in a general population. A total of 13,137 women and 11,667 men who participated in the fourth survey of the Tromsø Study (1994–1995) were followed up for incident AF until the end of 2016. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was conducted using fractional polynomials for SBP to provide sex- and AF-subtype-specific hazard ratios (HRs) for SBP. An SBP of 120 mmHg was used as the reference. Models were adjusted for other cardiovascular risk factors. Over a mean follow-up of 17.6 ± 6.6 years, incident AF occurred in 914 (7.0%) women (501 with paroxysmal/persistent AF and 413 with permanent AF) and 1104 (9.5%) men (606 with paroxysmal/persistent AF and 498 with permanent AF). In women, an SBP of 180 mmHg was associated with an HR of 2.10 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.60–2.76) for paroxysmal/persistent AF and an HR of 1.80 (95% CI 1.33–2.44) for permanent AF. In men, an SBP of 180 mmHg was associated with an HR of 1.90 (95% CI 1.46–2.46) for paroxysmal/persistent AF, while there was no association with the risk of permanent AF. In conclusion, increasing SBP was associated with an increased risk of both paroxysmal/persistent AF and permanent AF in women, but only paroxysmal/persistent AF in men. Our findings highlight the importance of sex-specific risk stratification and optimizing blood pressure management for the prevention of AF subtypes in clinical practice.

scholarly journals Incremental changes in QRS duration as predictor for cardiovascular disease: a 21-year follow-up of a randomly selected general population

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojing Chen ◽  
Per-Olof Hansson ◽  
Erik Thunström ◽  
Zacharias Mandalenakis ◽  
Kenneth Caidahl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
General Population ◽  
Cardiovascular Events ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis ◽  
Major Cardiovascular Events ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Qrs Duration ◽  
Group 1

AbstractThe QRS complex has been shown to be a prognostic marker in coronary artery disease. However, the changes in QRS duration over time, and its predictive value for cardiovascular disease in the general population is poorly studied. So we aimed to explore if increased QRS duration from the age of 50–60 is associated with increased risk of major cardiovascular events during a further follow-up to age 71. A random population sample of 798 men born in 1943 were examined in 1993 at 50 years of age, and re-examined in 2003 at age 60 and 2014 at age 71. Participants who developed cardiovascular disease before the re-examination in 2003 (n = 86) or missing value of QRS duration in 2003 (n = 127) were excluded. ΔQRS was defined as increase in QRS duration from age 50 to 60. Participants were divided into three groups: group 1: ΔQRS < 4 ms, group 2: 4 ms ≤ ΔQRS < 8 ms, group 3: ΔQRS ≥ 8 ms. Endpoints were major cardiovascular events. And we found compared with men in group 1 (ΔQRS < 4 ms), men with ΔQRS ≥ 8 ms had a 56% increased risk of MACE during follow-up to 71 years of age after adjusted for BMI, systolic blood pressure, smoking, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and heart rate in a multivariable Cox regression analysis (HR 1.56, 95% CI:1.07–2.27, P = 0.022). In conclusion, in this longitudinal follow-up over a decade QRS duration increased in almost two out of three men between age 50 and 60 and the increased QRS duration in middle age is an independent predictor of major cardiovascular events.

scholarly journals Influence of methyltestosterone postmenopausal therapy on plasma lipids, inflammatory factors, glucose metabolism and visceral fat: a randomized study

2006 ◽  
Vol 154 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenora M Camarate S M Leão ◽  
Mônica Peres C Duarte ◽  
Dalva Margareth B Silva ◽  
Paulo Roberto V Bahia ◽  
Cláudia Medina Coeli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Visceral Fat ◽  
Increased Risk

Background: There has been a growing interest in treating postmenopausal women with androgens. However, hyperandrogenemia in females has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Objective: We aimed to assess the effects of androgen replacement on cardiovascular risk factors. Design: Thirty-seven postmenopausal women aged 42–62 years that had undergone hysterectomy were prospectively enrolled in a double-blind protocol to receive, for 12 months, percutaneous estradiol (E2) (1 mg/day) combined with either methyltestosterone (MT) (1.25 mg/day) or placebo. Methods: Along with treatment, we evaluated serum E2, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index, lipids, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein; glucose tolerance; insulin resistance; blood pressure; body-mass index; and visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat mass as assessed by computed tomography. Results: A significant reduction in SHBG (P < 0.001) and increase in free testosterone index (P < 0.05; Repeated measures analysis of variance) were seen in the MT group. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lowered to a similar extent by both regimens, but high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased only in the androgen group. MT-treated women showed a modest rise in body weight and gained visceral fat mass relative to the other group (P < 0.05), but there were no significant detrimental effects on fasting insulin levels and insulin resistance. Conclusion: This study suggests that the combination of low-dose oral MT and percutaneous E2, for 1 year, does not result in expressive increase of cardiovascular risk factors. This regimen can be recommended for symptomatic postmenopausal women, although it seems prudent to perform baseline and follow-up lipid profile and assessment of body composition, especially in those at high risk of cardiovascular disease.

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