EFFECTS OF MENOPAUSE AN AORTIC ROOT FUNCTION IN HYPERTENSIVE WOMEN

Objectives. This study sought to determine whether the natural decreas e in sex hormones that occurs during menopause in hypertensive women p lays a role in aortic root stiffness. Background. The effect of menopa use-induced sex hormone deprivation on aortic root function is not kno wn; however, it is of special interest in hypertensive subjects, whose aortic elastic properties are already compromized. Methods. Eighteen women with essential hypertension were followed-up for 3 years, during which time they went through menopause (group A) and were compared wi th 22 age-matched hypertensive women with normal menses (group B) and 20 hypertensive men (group C). Blind echocardiographic tracings and si multaneous blood pressure measurements were obtained after at least 30 medication-free days, both at baseline and 3.5 years later. Results. Aortic root function tended to be aggravated in both groups B and C, b ut not significantly so, with no between-group differences (p = NS), w hereas it deteriorated in group A, Thus, in menopausal hypertensive su bjects, aortic root systolodiastolic percent change decreased (from 6. 7% to 4.9%, p < 0.0001 [p = 0.002 vs, group B; p = 0.006 vs. group C]) ; cross-sectional compliance decreased (from 18 to 13 cm(2)/mm Hg, p < 0.0001 [p = 0.002 vs. group B; p = 0.03 vs. group C]); Peterson's ela stic modulus increased (from 1.2 to 1.9 dynes/cm(2), p = 0.0006 [p = 0 .003 vs. group B; p = 0.005 vs. group C]); aortic stiffness index incr eased (from 7.0 to 10.8, p = 0.0008 [p = 0.004 vs. group B; p = 0.007 vs. group C]); and aortic root distensibility decreased (from 1.8 to 1 .2 dynes/cm(2), p < 0.0001 [p = 0.0003 vs. group B; p = 0.007 vs, grou p C]). Serum lipids did not change significantly in any group (p = NS) . Conclusions. In hypertensive women, the effect of menopause on the e lastic properties of the aortic root is abrupt and devastating.