Transdermal estrogen therapy effects on fibrinogen levels in women with a past history of venous thromboembolism: a pilot study

To evaluate thromboelastographic parameters and fibrinogen levels in women treated with transdermal 17beta estradiol. 29 menopausal women with a history of venous thromboembolic disease were included. Nine patients composed the treatment (HT) group and 20 the control group. Coagulation was assessed by thromboelastography in samples of whole blood and platelet-poor plasma (PPP). The following thromboelastographic variables were measured: time for initial coagulation (R), blood clotting speed (K and the alpha angle), clot tensile strength (MA and G), global index of coagulation (CI) and fibrinolysis (LY30) and fibrinogen levels. There were no differences in the other parameters comparing both groups. Fibrinogen levels showed a 13.77 +/- 19.94% reduction in the HT group and a 5.51 +/- 8.09% increase in the control group after 6 months. Our data suggested that transdermal estrogen may not increase blood coagulability, but that it reduces fibrinogen levels in HT women.