Menopause-induced changes in doppler-derived parameters of aortic flow in healthy women

Currently, estrogen replacement therapy is widely used as a specific treatment for hypoestrogenic associated conditions such as vasomotor instability, genitourinary atrophy and osteoporosis. These conditions affect a substantial number of postmenopausal women.¹ The favorable effects of estrogen replacement therapy on cardiac morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal women have usually been attributed to an improved lipid profile. ^2-4 It is now accepted that other mechanisms, such as the direct effect of estrogens on coronary vasculature and atherosclerotic plaque, may also have an important role in cardioprotection.^3-5 Using Doppler echocardiography we recently demonstrated a significant increase in aortic flow velocity and acceleration after 10 weeks of hormone replacement therapy.⁶ These findings led us to investigate whether menopause and the related decrease in estrogen levels were associated with changes in Doppler-derived parameters of aortic flow.