Left ventricular remodeling in perimenopausal women

Abstract

Aim to reveal specific features of the left ventricle (LV) structural and functional state and the pro-inflammatory status indicators in women of perimenopausal age.
 Material and methods. The cross-sectional study included 80 women (age 45 to 55 years) who were divided into 2 groups: a menopausal transition group and an early postmenopausal group according to the STRAW + 10 classification. Anthropometric measurements were taken; blood tests for homocysteine C, interleukin-6 (IL6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and echocardiography were performed according to the standard technique.
 Results. The study findings were as follows: 1. women in early postmenopause had higher levels of CRP when compared with women in the menopausal transition (4.5 (1.5; 8.0) mg/l versus 2.5 (0.6; 7.4) mg/l), in obese women, the level of IL6 was higher than in normal-weight women regardless of menopausal status (1.8 (0.6; 2.8) pg/ml versus 0.6 (0.2; 1.3) pg/ml); 2. the distribution of participants according to the type of myocardial remodeling did not differ in the comparison groups; 3. the presence of arterial hypertension and menopause was associated with myocardial hypertrophy; 4. significant differences were found in the distribution of myocardial geometry in women with obesity and overweight when compared to women with a normal body mass index (BMI) regardless of menopausal status; 5. significant direct correlation was registered between the structural and volume parameters of the LV and age, blood pressure, BMI, waist to hips circumference ratio. A positive correlation was found between the level of pro-inflammatory biomarkers and structural parameters of LV.
 Conclusion. In women of perimenopausal age, a myocardial remodeling was revealed that could not be explained by traditional risk factors. The activation of the systemic inflammatory response in menopause and obesity was accompanied by the pathological LV remodeling and myocardial hypertrophy.