Cardiac resynchronization therapy response is associated with shorter duration of atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonly associated with heart failure. The benefit of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on atrial remodeling has been demonstrated. However, biventricular pacing did not reduce the global incidence of AF. We evaluated the relationship between CRT response and AF duration. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 96 patients (59 +/- 15 years; 78% male) who underwent CRT. All patients had class III-IV New York Heart Association (NYHA) symptoms despite maximal medical therapy, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < or = 35%, QRS >130 ms, and sinus rhythm before implantation. CRT response in patients who survived at six months of follow-up was defined as: (1) no hospitalization for heart failure and (2) improvement of one or more grades in the NYHA classification. RESULTS: CRT responders (n = 54) and non-responders (n = 42) had similar baseline characteristics, including the incidence of persistent AF within six months before implantation. Six months after implantation, when compared to baseline, CRT responders exhibited a significant decrease in left atrial size (47.5 +/- 7.1 mm vs 44.6 +/- 7.7 mm, P < 0.01) and in the incidence of persistent AF (17% vs 2%, P = 0.02). At six months, CRT responders demonstrated shorter mean AF duration (7.5 +/- 43.3 hours vs 48.8 +/- 129.0 hours, P = 0.03) and lower incidence of persistent AF (2% vs 19%, P = 0.004) compared to nonresponders. CONCLUSION: CRT response is associated with a reversal of atrial remodeling and a shorter AF duration.     

Gender differences in the cardiovascular effects of sex hormones

Over the last decade, compelling evidence supports the idea that the different impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the differences in vascular biology in men and women may be, at least in part, related to the cardiovascular and metabolic effects of sex steroid hormones. Indeed, androgens and oestrogens influence a multitude of vascular biological processes and their cardiovascular effects are multifaceted. While in women the effects of androgens mainly depend upon oestrogens’ levels and, ultimately, upon the estradiol/testosterone ratio, the effects of androgens in men mostly relate to their aromatization into oestrogens. Oestrogens exert potential beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system in both sexes. In women, the effect of oestrogens, alone or in association with progestins, has been widely investigated, but data obtained from older patient populations have lead the medical community and the general public to misleading conclusions. Growing evidence supports the ‘timing hypothesis’, which suggests that oestrogen/hormone replacement therapy may increase CVD risk if started late after menopause, but produce beneficial cardiovascular effects in younger postmenopausal women. Because in men adequate interventional studies with testosterone are lacking, specific investigations should be performed.     

Post-surgical hormone replacement therapy: information needs of women

• ? This study examines the feelings and thoughts of women who have received hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after a surgically induced menopause.
• ? The paper outlines the patients' need for easily accessible information about HRT from professionals. Sometimes the information is not completely clear because of anxiety or misinterpretation. Women are also concerned about side-effects.
• ? Women feel that they can cope better if they understand why certain treatments are carried out, and if they have an informed choice about their method of treatment.

     

Effects of hormone replacement therapy on blood platelets

BACKGROUND: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity in postmenopausal women under certain circumstances. Part of this effect may be the result of the influence of HRT on blood platelets. We studied the effect of short-term oral hormone replacement therapy (unopposed oestradiol or sequentially combined oestradiol and trimegestone or dydrogesterone) on platelet activation parameters in healthy postmenopausal women. DESIGN: We designed a prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled 12-week study. Sixty healthy, normotensive, nonhysterectomised, postmenopausal women received daily micronised oestradiol (E2) 2 mg (n = 16), or 2 mg E2 daily sequentially combined with either trimegestone 0.5 mg daily (n = 14) or dydrogesterone 10 mg daily (n = 14), or placebo (n = 16). Data on platelet activation were collected at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Twelve weeks of treatment with combined HRT was associated with an increase in platelet activation parameters P-selectin and glycoprotein 53 (by 17% and 14%, respectively, P = 0.04 vs. the placebo group for both comparisons), suggesting alpha granule and lysosome degranulation. E2 replacement therapy was associated with an increase in P-selectin labelling by 22% (P = 0.04 vs. the placebo group). CONCLUSION: Short-term treatment with oestradiol or combined HRT increases the amount of circulating activated platelets as measured by flow cytometry. This could be a mechanism by which short-term HRT might increase the risk of thrombosis.     

Re-framing the representation of women in advertisements for hormone replacement therapy

This article examines and presents examples of contemporary advertising within the medical and health professions that continue the process and organisation of knowledge about women and their reproductive bodies. It draws on feminist and poststructural perspectives to inform a critical evaluation of the visual representations of menopausal women and hormone replacement therapy. These representations work to construct certain definitions of the feminine that sustain and support existing contradictory cultural meanings and values about menopause. I argue that the images continue to misrepresent and define what forms of femininity and sexual gender are desirable and acceptable for menopausal women. The article addresses the problems of gender discrimination and bias within the advertising industry, and illustrates the ways in which readers of visual texts may be influenced by stereotypic assumptions concerning a woman's lived experience of menopause. It illustrates how specific symbolic images directed towards men and women for hormone replacement therapy, testosterone deficiency and sexual dysfunction influence the viewer's decision making and action responses.     

绝经后妇女应用激素替代疗法的依从性研究

综述了国内外绝经后妇女应用激素替代疗法的依从性研究,从治疗的副反应、使用者对乳腺癌的惧怕、症状缓解、病人的自身状况、用药剂量及其他社会因素方面分析了影响激素替代疗法依从性的因素。     

Pulmonary hypertension in women

Female predominance in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has been known for several decades and recent interest in the effects of sex hormones on the development of disease has substantially increased our understanding of this epidemiologic observation. Basic science data suggest a beneficial effect of estrogens in the pulmonary vasculature both acutely and chronically, which seems to contradict the known predilection in women. Recent human and rodent data have suggested that altered levels of estrogen, differential signaling and altered metabolism of estrogens in PAH may underlie the gender difference in this disease. Studies of the effects of sex hormones on the right ventricle in animal and human disease will further aid in understanding gender differences in PAH. This article focuses on the effects of sex hormones on the pulmonary vasculature and right ventricle on both a basic science and translational level.     

The effect of estrone on thrombin generation may explain the different thrombotic risk between oral and transdermal hormone replacement therapy

Summary. Background: The metabolism of estrogen contained within hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is influenced by the route of administration, and this may affect the risk of venous thromboembolism. Thrombin generation, a global coagulation assay, is a marker of hypercoagulability and is of potential use in determining the thrombotic risk associated with particular HRT administration routes. Objectives: To determine whether any effect of oral and transdermal HRT on thrombin generation is related to the plasma estrogen profile. Methods: We investigated the effects of oral, transdermal and no HRT (controls) in 52, 39 and 52 postmenopausal women, respectively, on thrombin generation, standard markers of thrombophilia, estradiol level and estrone level. Results: All parameters of thrombin generation were altered in women using oral HRT as compared with controls (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). No such differences were found in women using transdermal HRT. Estrone levels correlated with peak thrombin generation (R = 0.451, P < 0.001) in women using oral HRT, but there was no correlation in women using the transdermal route. Conclusions: Thrombin generation is significantly increased in women who use HRT administered by the oral route. This is probably mediated by the hepatic first‐pass metabolism of estrone, the main metabolite of oral estradiol, which is avoided by the transdermal route. The effect of estrone on thrombin generation may provide the explanation for the higher thrombotic risk seen in women using oral rather than transdermal HRT.     

Normalization of peripheral thyroid hormone metabolism induced by successful chronic amiodarone treatment in patients with ventricular arrhythmias

Amiodarone, an antiarrhythmic agent, is also known to have important effects on the peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones; the relationship between these two effects of the drug, however, is not well established. We tested the hypothesis that the antiarrhythmic effect of amiodarone might be mediated by its effect on the metabolism of thyroid hormones. Peripheral thyroid hormone metabolism was investigated using a double-tracer ([¹²⁵I]-T4 and [¹³¹I]-T3) procedure in 10 normal volunteers and 10 euthyroid patients with complex ventricular arrhythmias before and during 6 months‘ amiodarone treatment. The underlying cardiac disease was coronary artery disease in four cases, dilated cardiomyopathy in three and idiopathic arrhythmias in three. In all but one patient with complex ventricular arrhythmias amiodarone treatment resulted in a reduction of ≥ 80% of premature ventricular contractions and complete suppression of episodes of ventricular pairs or ventricular tachycardia. In all cases successful treatment with amiodarone was accompanied by normalization of all kinetic parameters: T4 to T3 conversion ratio and T3/T4 molar ratio of production decreased to mean values of 24.7 ± 17.5% and 0.35 ± 0.22% respectively, whereas T4 production rate increased (mean value 75.9 ± 30.0 nmol day^?1 m^?2). Our kinetic data indicate that long-term therapy with amiodarone, when effective in suppressing cardiac arrhythmias, also reduces peripheral T4 to T3 conversion, hence restoring the normal peripheral thyroid hormone metabolic pattern. In conclusion, our study confirms that the antiarrhythmic action of amiodarone may be (at least partially) mediated by its action on thyroid hormone metabolism, and may justify the hypothesis that an altered peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones may play a role in the pathogenesis of complex ventricular arrhythmias.     

低剂量雌激素替代疗法对围绝经期综合征患者激素水平及骨密度的影响

目的观察低剂量雌激素替代疗法对围绝经期综合征患者临床症状、激素水平及骨密度的影响。方法根据患者是否愿意接受雌激素替代疗法将105例围绝经期综合征患者分为试验组52例和对照组53例,对照组不接受任何药物治疗,试验组口服替勃龙,2.5 mg/次,1次/d,连续治疗6个月。结果试验组治疗后Kupperman各项评分均下降,卵泡刺激素(FSH)、黄体生成素(LH)水平下降,雌二醇(E2)水平升高,L1~4骨密度及股骨颈骨密度显著增加(P0.05或P0.01)。试验组未出现需要停药的不良反应,但子宫内膜厚度显著增加。结论低剂量雌激素替代疗法可有效改善围绝经期综合征患者临床症状,调节激素水平,增加骨密度值,但可能会增加患者子宫内膜厚度,临床应用时应采用最低有效剂量,确保安全性。     

老年心房颤动患者华法林长期抗凝治疗的效果与安全性

目的：探讨老年心房颤动（房颤）患者华法林长期抗凝治疗的疗效、安全性和华法林剂量的动态变化,为经验性抗凝治疗提供依据。方法选取心血管专科门诊每月进行规律随访的抗凝治疗时间＞12个月、年龄≥65岁的持续性房颤患者52例,根据随访记录统计患者出血、脑梗死的情况以及华法林的用药剂量。结果经心电图确诊的持续性房颤患者52例,其中男30例,女22例,平均年龄（72．5±5．6）岁,平均随访时间（23．20±11．35）个月;在随访期间,未出现颅内出血等严重威胁生命的出血,轻度出血10例,其中牙龈出血2例、鼻出血1例、咯血2例、结膜出血3例和双下肢皮肤瘀斑 2例;52例患者出现脑梗死 1例（1．9％）;在长达24个月的随访时间中,房颤患者华法林抗凝治疗的剂量无显著变化,达到充分抗凝的平均剂量为3．6 mg／d左右。结论房颤患者长期抗凝治疗安全有效,其平均维持剂量约为3．6 mg／d,但需要规律检测国际标准化比值。     

Does the type of hormone replacement therapy influence the risk of deep vein thrombosis? A prospective case–control study

BACKGROUND: Although hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), it is not clear if the risk differs in users of combined estrogen-progestin HRT and estrogen-only HRT. METHODS: We prospectively studied postmenopausal women with suspected DVT in whom HRT use status was ascertained and who subsequently had objective diagnostic testing to confirm or exclude DVT. Cases were patients with idiopathic DVT, in whom there were no DVT risk factors, and controls were patients without DVT, in whom there were also no DVT risk factors. The risk of DVT was determined in users of estrogen-progestin HRT and estrogen-only HRT by comparing the prevalence of current HRT use in cases with idiopathic DVT and controls without DVT (reference group). Multivariable regression analysis was done to adjust for factors that might confound an association between HRT use and the risk of DVT. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred and sixty-eight postmenopausal women with suspected DVT were assessed, from whom 95 cases of idiopathic DVT and 610 controls without DVT and no DVT risk factors were identified. Estrogen-only HRT was associated with an increased risk for DVT that was not statistically significant [odds ratio (OR) = 1.22; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57, 2.61]. Estrogen-progestin HRT was associated with a greater than 2-fold increased risk for DVT (OR = 2.70; 95% CI 1.44, 5.07). CONCLUSION: The risk of developing DVT may be higher in users of combined estrogen-progestin HRT than in users of estrogen-only HRT.     

达比加群酯在非瓣膜性房颤患者抗凝治疗中的应用效果

目的 探讨达比加群酯在非瓣膜性房颤患者抗凝治疗中的应用效果.方法 选取2017年5月至2019年6月入我院治疗的120例非瓣膜性房颤患者,采用信封法将其分为对照组和研究组,每组60例.对照组给予华法林治疗,研究组给予达比加群酯治疗.比较两组的凝血指标、肝肾功能指标、出血事件、栓塞事件及不良反应发生情况.结果 治疗后,研...     

上海市社区老年人群心房颤动的流行病学特征及抗凝治疗现状调查

目的:探讨上海市社区老年人群心房颤动(房颤)的患病类型、相关心血管疾病、血栓栓塞风险及抗凝治疗现状。方法:对2015年4月至2016年5月上海市金山区11个社区65岁以上健康体检诊断为房颤的患者进行横断面调查。由调查者对患者进行12导联常规心电图检查并填写"房颤患者特征评估调查表"。结果:房颤患者共1 368例,平均年龄(76.1±6.4)岁,男性患者占50.4%。首诊房颤、阵发性房颤、持续性房颤、永久性房颤及无法确定房颤类型者分别占39.7%、19.2%、8.6%、13.2%、19.3%。合并高血压59.3%、冠心病35.9%、脑血管疾病10.5%、糖尿病9.5%、慢性阻塞性肺病3.3%、窦房结功能不全/病窦综合征2.3%、左心室肥厚2.2%、心肌梗死2.0%、心力衰竭1.9%。CHASD2评分≥2分的房颤患者共239例,其中16例(6.9%)接受抗凝治疗、57例(24.7%)采用抗血小板治疗;CHA2DS2-VASc评分≥2分的房颤患者共471例,29例(6.4%)接受抗凝治疗,96例(21.2%)采用抗血小板治疗。结论:上海市社区老年房颤患者人群中,首诊房颤患者、卒中高危风险者所占比例较大,但接受抗凝治疗比例低。     

Positive impact of hormone replacement therapy on the fibrinolytic system: a long-term randomized controlled study in healthy postmenopausal women

Summary.  Background : The mechanisms by which postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may influence risk of cardiovascular disease are still unclear. Impaired fibrinolytic function is associated with an enhanced risk of cardiovascular disease and therefore the effect of HRT on fibrinolysis may be of importance. Objectives : To investigate the prolonged effect of HRT on the fibrinolytic system and to determine whether two common polymorphisms in the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) genes modulate this effect. Methods : Healthy postmenopausal women ( n  = 248) were randomized to HRT ( n  = 122) or no substitution ( n  = 126) 5 years prior to investigation. Results : Significantly higher values of t-PA activity and lower values of PAI-1 activity and PAI-1 antigen were found in the HRT group compared with the control group. This effect was independent of smoking and without influence from the two common polymorphisms PAI-1 −675(4G/5G) and t-PA intron8ins311. Furthermore, no difference between opposed estrogen (with norethisterone acetate as the gestagen component) and unopposed estrogen therapy was found. Both an intention-to-treat and a per-protocol analysis were performed and similar results were obtained. Conclusions : Long-term treatment with HRT in healthy postmenopausal women was found to be associated with a beneficial fibrinolytic profile. This effect was found independent of smoking status, opposed and unopposed estrogen therapy had equal effect, and no influence of the two common polymorphisms PAI-1–675(4G/5G) and t-PA intron8ins311 was found. This effect of HRT on fibrinolytic capacity may be one of the beneficial effects of HRT in relation to cardiovascular diseases.     

促甲状腺激素抑制疗法在分化型甲状腺癌治疗中的作用

目的探讨促甲状腺激素(TSH)抑制疗法在分化型甲状腺癌患者术后治疗中的作用。方法 130例分化型甲状腺癌患者于甲状腺切除术后分别行TSH抑制治疗(观察组)和甲状腺素替代治疗(对照组),比较2组患者术后无复发和/或无转移率。结果观察组术后3、5、10年的无复发和/或无转移率分别为98.76%、93.21%及79.54%,对照组分别为92.17%、82.36%及51.25%,2组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 TSH抑制疗法是分化型甲状腺癌患者行全或近全甲状腺切除术后的有效治疗手段。     

Myths and truths of growth hormone and testosterone therapy in heart failure

Heart failure is a chronic clinical syndrome with very poor prognosis. Despite being on optimal medical therapy, many patients still experience debilitating symptoms and poor quality of life. In recent years, there has been a great interest in anabolic hormone replacement therapy – namely, growth hormone and testosterone – as an adjunctive therapy in patients with advanced heart failure. It has been observed that low levels of growth hormone and testosterone have been associated with increased mortality and morbidity in patients with heart failure. Animal studies and clinical trials have shown promising clinical improvement with hormonal supplementation. Growth hormone has been shown to increase ventricular wall mass, decrease wall stress, increase cardiac contractility, and reduce peripheral vascular resistance, all of which might help to enhance cardiac function, resulting in improvement in clinical symptoms. Likewise, testosterone has been shown to improve hemodynamic parameters via reduction in peripheral vascular resistance and increased coronary blood flow through vasodilation, thereby improving functional and symptomatic status. To date, growth hormone and testosterone therapy have shown some positive benefits, albeit with some concerns over adverse effects. However, large randomized controlled trials are still needed to assess the long-term safety and efficacy.     

Obesity and risk of venous thromboembolism among postmenopausal women: differential impact of hormone therapy by route of estrogen administration. The ESTHER Study

BACKGROUND: Oral estrogen use and elevated body mass index (BMI) increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Recent data suggest that transdermal estrogen might be safe with respect to thrombotic risk. However, the impact of transdermal estrogen on the association between overweight (25 kg m(-2) < BMI < or = 30 kg m(-2)) or obesity (BMI >30 kg m(-2)) and VTE risk has not been investigated. METHODS: We carried a multicenter case-control study of VTE among postmenopausal women aged 45-70 years, between 1999 and 2005, in France. Case population consisted of women with a first documented idiopathic VTE. We recruited 191 hospital cases matched with 416 hospital controls and 62 outpatient cases matched with 181 community controls. RESULTS: The odds ratio (OR) for VTE was 2.5 [95% confidence interval (CI):1.7-3.7] for overweight and 3.9 (95% CI: 2.2-6.9) for obesity. Oral, not transdermal, estrogen was associated with an increased VTE risk (OR = 4.5; 95% CI: 2.6-7.7 and OR = 1.1; 95% CI: 0.7-1.7, respectively). Compared with non-users with normal weight, the combination of oral estrogen use and overweight or obesity further enhanced VTE risk (OR = 10.2; 95% CI: 3.5-30.2 and OR = 20.6; 95% CI: 4.8-88.1, respectively). However, transdermal users with increased BMI had similar risk as non-users with increased BMI (OR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.5-5.8 and OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.7-4.5 respectively for overweight; OR = 5.4; 95% CI: 2.1-14.1 and OR = 4.0; 95% CI: 2.1-7.8 respectively for obesity). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to oral estrogen, transdermal estrogen does not confer an additional risk of idiopathic VTE in women with increased BMI. The safety of transdermal estrogen on thrombotic risk has to be confirmed.     

大龄经产妇性激素水平调查及其对再生育的影响

目的：探讨性激素水平对大龄经产妇再生育的影响。方法回顾性分析2009年4月至2013年4月都江堰市医疗中心就诊的437例35岁以上经产妇的临床资料,按孕育结果分为正常孕育组（118例）和非正常孕育组（319例）,所有产妇均测定血清雌二醇（E2）、催乳素（PRL）、黄体生成素（LH）、促卵泡激素（FSH）、孕酮（P）和睾酮（T ）水平,探讨各性激素水平对大龄经产妇再孕再育的影响。结果非正常孕育组妇女血清E2水平明显低于正常孕育组,而PRL、LH、FSH水平明显高于正常孕育组,组间比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0．05）;多因素Logistic回归分析显示,影响大龄经产妇再孕再育的主要因素为E2和FS H。结论大龄经产妇中非正常孕育组血清FS H水平明显升高,E2、FS H水平是影响大龄经产妇不孕不育的主要因素。