[Effects of oestrogens on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with carcinoma of the prostate (author's transl)].

16 patients with advanced carcinoma of the prostate were studied in a prospective trial during treatment with oestrogens. Changes in plasma levels of gonadotropins (LH and FSH) and testosterone as well as salt-water balance, antithrombin III, fibrinolytic activity, plasma lipoproteins known to influence the risk of cardiovascular complications, were recorded during the initial 2 months. The plasma testosterone, LH and FSH concentrations were suppressed. The plasma volume was increased and the plasma albumin concentration was decreased. The antithrombin III concentration and the tissue fibrinolytic activity were decreased. The low density lipoprotein (LDL) level decreased and the high density lipoprotein (HDL) level increased. The recorded changes of cardiovascular risk factors indicate that the risk of water retention and thereby congestive heart failure and the risk for thromboembolic disease are increased during oestrogen treatment. The changes in lipoproteins with a marked elevation of the HDL/LDL ratio are thought to retard the development of atherosclerosis.