Doppler flow analysis of the palmaris superficial branch of the radial artery in postmenopausal women with acroparesthesia: the role of hormone therapy. A pilot study.

<bold>Method: </bold>Twenty-three patients with acroparesthesia were submitted to clinical evaluation and color Doppler analysis of the uterine artery and palmaris superficial branch of the radial artery. Thirteen women (Group I) were submitted to hormone treatment with drospirenone 2 mg + estradiol emidrate 1 mg. Ten patients refused the treatment and served as controls (Group II). The patients were studied at baseline and after 6 months' therapy. <bold>Results: </bold>After 6 months of hormone therapy, the resistances of the uterine artery and palmaris superficial branch of the radial artery significantly decreased in Group I patients. This was associated with the complete disappearance of paresthesic symptoms in 12/13 (92%) of the treated patients. In patients belonging to Group II, the paresthesia remained unchanged. <bold>Conclusion: </bold>Hormone therapy with drospirenone may increase the forearm/hand blood flow, and favor the amelioration of paresthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]