What is it about?
As men age, testosterone levels decrease in a significant percentage of the population. In parallel, the electric circuit of the heart begins to lose efficiency, taking more time for cardiac cells to be able to conduct a new electric impulse. This worsening of electric function increases the risk of arrhythmia. In this study, replacing testosterone to older men with low testosterone reversed this effect in the electric circuit of the heart, restoring the speed cardiac cells could transmit a new electric impulse.
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Why is it important?
Lately, the cardiovascular safety of testosterone replacement therapy has been under intense discussion. This study showed that testosterone replacement in men with low testosterone does not increase the time it takes for a new electric impulse to be generated, which is know to be associated with the risk of arrhythmia.
Perspectives
The findings of this study suggest that replacing testosterone to men with low testosterone and increased risk of arrhythmia might prevent arrhythmia occurrence. However, more research is needed to confirm this effect.
Dr. Thiago Gagliano-Jucá
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Effects of Testosterone Replacement on Electrocardiographic Parameters in Men: Findings from Two Randomized Trials, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, December 2016, Endocrine Society,
DOI: 10.1210/jc.2016-3669.
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