Carotid plaque regression on oestrogen replacement: A pilot study

Objective:To investigate the effect of unopposed oestrogen on atheromatous carotid plaques.Subjects:Seventeen postmenopausal women with known carotid disease.Methods:Carotid intimal thickness and plaque length and thickness were measured prior to and following 3 and 6 months of treatment, using Duplex ultrasound. A total of 22 plaques were followed up.Results:There was a reduction in plaque length after 3 (−8.14%, p = 0.001) and 6 months (−28%, p = 0.001) of treatment. The reduction in plaque thickness (−18%, p = 0.004) was significant after 6 months of treatment. Reductions in intimal thickness were not statistically significant.Conclusion:Our results suggest that oestrogen replacement is associated with significant plaque regression