Effect of estradiol 17β upon coronary artery vasoconstrictor response to methylergometrine maleate in female menopausal patients

The effect of acute administration of estradiol 17β upon coronary artery reactivity to methylergometrine was evaluated by coronary angiography in 16menopausal women with CAD. The investigation was performed at rest and after incremental dose of methylergometrine before and 20 min after either intracoronary estradiol 17β or placebo. Significant differences were not observed either in the baseline coronary artery diameter or the area between the 2groups, or in the degree of coronary artery constriction after either estradiol 17β or placebo at submaximal doses of methylergometrine. Coronary artery constriction after maximal doses of methylergometrine resulted attenuated by estradiol 17β for its calcium-antagonist properties.