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Published on: August 13, 2019
Endothelial function and cardiovascular risk stratification in menopausal women
S L Mulvagh1, T Behrenbeck, B A Lahr
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Summary
Digital tonometry (RHI) shows potential for cardiovascular risk stratification in early postmenopausal women. While not correlating with traditional markers, RHI may offer an independent, non-invasive assessment tool for this population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Endocrinology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated reactive hyperemia is diminished in atherosclerosis.
- This study investigates digital tonometry as a surrogate for endothelial function to stratify cardiovascular risk in asymptomatic, recently menopausal women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that digital tonometry (reactive hyperemia index [RHI]) can stratify cardiovascular risk in recently menopausal women.
- To evaluate RHI's association with traditional cardiovascular risk factors, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and coronary arterial calcium (CAC).
Main Methods:
- 102 non-diabetic Caucasian women within 3 years of menopause were assessed.
- Evaluations included conventional risk factors, RHI via digital tonometry, CIMT by ultrasound, and CAC by CT scan.
- Statistical analyses explored correlations between RHI and other cardiovascular parameters.
Main Results:
- RHI demonstrated wide variability and did not correlate with CAC, CIMT, or lipid profiles.
- A significant negative correlation between RHI and body mass index was observed but lost in non-smokers.
- High-density lipoprotein cholesterol showed a negative correlation with CAC in the overall group and non-smokers.
Conclusions:
- RHI exhibits significant variability in healthy postmenopausal women.
- RHI was not associated with standard cardiovascular risk assessments, CAC, or CIMT.
- RHI may serve as an independent, non-invasive tool for cardiovascular risk stratification in recently menopausal women.
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