[Pathogenetic basis of androgen administration in cardiology].

In the developed countries, coronary artery disease remains the main cause of mortality among population aged over 45 years. It has been proven that some factors such as cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipaemia promote atherosclerosis. Androgens and especially testosterone are considered risk factors of coronary artery disease in men [1]. Several findings seem to support this belief. The male gender itself is an independent coronary artery disease risk factor [20]. Very few papers are available reporting deaths of young body-builders who overdose synthetic androgens, most probably caused by coronary disease [33]. There are also studies describing the vasoconstrictive properties of androgens. Stereotyped opinions on the role of androgens in cardiology have to be changed according to more recent data. Numerous studies have demonstrated that androgen levels correlate negatively with plasma cytokine levels. These findings suggest that routine androgen therapy could become a fact in men with congestive heart failure.