Effect of desogestrel-containing oral contraceptives on vascular reactivity and catecholamine levels

The modifications induced by new oral contraceptives (OC) on blood pressure , great vessel vascular reactivity by color Doppler, and catecholamine leve ls were investigated. Young healthy women not taking OC (n = 22; controls) or receiving, for greater than or equal to 6 months, OC containing desogest rel with either 30 mu g (n = 14) or 20 mu g of EE (n = 8) were enrolled. Bl ood pressure measured at rest in supine position was similar between contro ls and OC users. The pulsatility index (PI), an indirect index of resistanc e to blood flow of axillary artery was significantly higher (p <0.05) in 30 mu g than in 20 mu g EE OC users or controls. A similar trend, albeit not significant, was observed for the internal carotid artery PI. Norepinephrin e (p <0.01) and dopamine (p <0.05) but not epinephrine levels, were lower i n 30 mu g EE OC users than in 20 mu g EE OC users or controls. Thus, both 2 0 mu g and 30 pg EE OC had no negative effect on blood pressure, bur the 30 mu g EE OC tended to increase great vessel resistance to blood flow indepe ndently of catecholamine levels. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.