| Summary: | Objectives: Erectile dysfunction (ED) represents an early marker of vascular damage and a potent factor for future cardiovascular events. Our study aims to investigate interrelationships between ED, arterial stiffness and left ventricular geometry.
Methods: We analyzed data from 85 ED patients (mean age: 56±7 y/o). Diagnosis and grading of the erectile disorder were performed according to the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-score). Parameters estimating the additional hemodynamic afterload, were carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVc-f), augmentation index (AIx) and augmented pressure (AP). Consequently for LVgeometry, LV mass index and relative wall thickness (RWT) were measured.
Results: IIEF-score was negatively correlated with age (r=−0.285, P<0.01), systolic pressure (r=−0.258, P<0.01) and pulse pressure (r=−0.335, P<0.001). Patients with severe ED (IIEF<10) had significantly higher age and BP- adjusted PWVc-f (9.1±1.5 vs 7.8±1.5 m/s, P=0.005), AIx (24±7 vs 19±8%, P<0.05) and AP (10±4 vs 7±4 mmHg, P<0.05) compared to subjects with a higher IIEF score. Furthermore, after adjusting for age and BP level, patients with severe ED had higher LV mass index and RWT compared to subjects with a higher IIEF score (82±11 vs 76±9 g/m2 and 0.42 ± 0.06 vs.0.39±0.04, respectively, all P<0.05).
Conclusions: ED severity is significantly associated with arterial stiffness indeces and alteration of LV geometry. Our data confirm the extent of cardiovascular damage in ED population with severe penile functional disorder, and allow identification of those in an altered cardiovascular status, who may warrant more intensive strategies in preventing further deterioration of their physiology.
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