The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 271 No 7275 p666
15 November 2003

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HRT coronary concerns explained

Hormone replacement therapy may be beneficial in some women but harmful in others, said Richard Cannon, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, United States. He suggested that the recent HERS trial results could be explained by oestrogen’s effect of increasing fibrinolysis. In most women this results in improved blood vessel flexibility and reduced cardiac risk. However, in women with underlying atherosclerosis, it also causes a weakening of the fibrous cap that covers atherosclerotic plaques, thus increasing risk of thrombosis, he said.

The Journal’s attendance at the AHA conference was made possible by Pfizer. Coverage of the conference continues next week.

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