Table 2.

Carotid and brachial artery parameters and hemodynamics in premenopausal and postmenopausal women

Variable	Premenopausal	Postmenopausal
Carotid diameter, mm
Baseline	5.78 ± 0.15	5.95 ± 0.09
After BH4	5.73 ± 0.15	5.93 ± 0.09
Carotid distention, mm
Baseline	0.58 ± 0.03	0.33 ± 0.02*
After BH4	0.59 ± 0.03	0.39 ± 0.02†
Supine systolic BP, mmHg
Baseline	104 ± 5	123 ± 3*
After BH4	101 ± 5	123 ± 3
Diastolic BP, mmHg
Baseline	63 ± 3	71 ± 2*
After BH4	61 ± 3	72 ± 3
Pulse pressure, mmHg
Baseline	40 ± 4	52 ± 2*
After BH4	41 ± 3	51 ± 2
Brachial diameter, mm
Baseline	3.3 ± 0.2	3.8 ± 0.1*
After BH4	3.1 ± 0.2	3.7 ± 0.1
Peak shear rate§, s−1
Baseline	135 ± 11	125 ± 7
After BH4	132 ± 9	114 ± 6

Data are means ± SE. BH₄, tetrahydrobiopterin.

^*P < 0.05 vs. premenopausal.

^†P < 0.05 vs. baseline of the same group;

^§n = 20 postmenopausal and 9 premenopausal women.