ABSTRACT
Observations from many investigators have demonstrated that endothelial cell dysfunction plays an etiologic role in the initiation of vascular disease and development of clinical complications. The studies that focus on this area provide insight to the understanding of the pathophysiology of vascular disease as well as potential new ways to address therapy. The exact extent to which estrogen explains age-related differences in coronary artery disease has become the focus of many laboratories. The lack of estrogen associated with menopause is associated with altered lipid profiles, coagulation factors as well as endothelial dysfunction.
