RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the effects of transdermal and oral hormone replacement therapies on plasma total homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and ten postmenopausal patients were enrolled in the study. Participants were randomized into three groups: in Group A (n = 31) oral continuous combined therapy and in Group B (n = 30) transdermal sequential hormone replacement therapy were given for 6 months. A placebo was administered orally to the control group (Group C, n = 30). Serum homocysteine levels were studied prior to and after 6 months of treatment in all groups. RESULTS: There were no statistical significant differences in mean serum homocysteine levels among the groups prior to the study. The mean homocysteine levels after 6 months in Groups A-C were also similar. CONCLUSIONS: Serum homocysteine levels alter with neither oral continuous nor sequential transdermal hormone replacement therapy.
Asunto(s)
Estradiol/farmacología , Terapia de Reemplazo de Estrógeno/métodos , Homocisteína/efectos de los fármacos , Noretindrona/farmacología , Posmenopausia/efectos de los fármacos , Administración Cutánea , Administración Oral , Adulto , Combinación de Medicamentos , Femenino , Homocisteína/sangre , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Posmenopausia/sangreRESUMEN
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy on ocular hemodynamics in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Ocular Doppler ultrasonography was performed in 20 postmenopausal women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and in 20 women without treatment, as the control group. Central retinal artery (CRA), posterior ciliary artery (PCA) and ophthalmic artery (OA) flow velocities and vascular resistances were measured prospectively by a radiologist blinded to the therapy. There were no associated systemic or ocular diseases or any medication history. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients on HRT was 50.05 +/- 4.5 yrs (range 44-62). The mean age of the control group was 52.8 +/- 4.09 yrs (range 46-65). The mean duration of HRT was 1.6 +/- 1.4 yrs (range 3 months - 5 years). There were no differences between the groups in terms of flow velocities, vascular resistivities or pulsatility indices of OA, CRA and PCA (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HRT is essential in postmenopausal women for relief of vasomotor symptoms, cardioprotection and prevention of osteoporosis. Even though vaso-occlusive complications of hormone preparations have been reported, we did not observe any changes in ocular hemodynamics detectable with Doppler ultrasonography.
Asunto(s)
Arterias Ciliares/fisiología , Terapia de Reemplazo de Estrógeno , Ojo/irrigación sanguínea , Arteria Oftálmica/fisiología , Posmenopausia/fisiología , Arteria Retiniana/fisiología , Adulto , Anciano , Velocidad del Flujo Sanguíneo , Estrógenos/administración & dosificación , Femenino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Progesterona/administración & dosificación , Estudios Prospectivos , Ultrasonografía Doppler en Color , Resistencia VascularRESUMEN
Advances in fetal echocardiography enable the prenatal diagnosis of a vast majority of congenital heart defects. On the other hand, ostium secundum atrial septal defect is difficult to diagnose in the fetus. Although a defect of minor clinical significance, this may be the only intrauterine finding of a chromosomal anomaly. We documented an abnormal oscillatory pattern of the foramen ovale flap motion by M-mode fetal echocardiography in 2 fetuses with ostium secundum atrial septal defect. This may be a more consistent finding for the prenatal diagnosis of ostium secundum atrial septal defect than the previously reported bidirectional flow across the foramen ovale on color Doppler sonography.