Περίληψη:
Although vardenafil is widely prescribed for erectile dysfunction (ED),
its effect on arterial function is not defined. Aortic stiffness, aortic
pressures, and wave reflections are predictors of cardiovascular risk.
The investigators assessed the hypothesis that vardenafil acutely
improves aortic stiffness, aortic pressures, and wave reflections in ED
patients. Twelve ED patients (mean age 58 +/- 9 years) received
vardenafil 20 mg in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind,
2-way crossover design. Aortic stiffness was evaluated with
carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV); wave reflections and aortic
pressures were evaluated with augmentation index (AIx) and systolic,
diastolic, and pulse pressure of the aortic pressure waveform,
respectively. PWV, aortic pressures, and AIx were measured at baseline
and for 3 hours after vardenafil intake or placebo. PWV decreased
significantly (by 0.7 m/s, P = .001), denoting a decrease in aortic
stiffness. AIx decreased significantly (by 7%, P = .008), denoting a
decreased effect of wave reflections from the periphery. Aortic
pressures decreased significantly (all P < .05). Statin use at baseline
significantly interacted with the effects of treatment on both PWV and
AIx (P = .003 and P < .001, respectively). This study shows, for the
first time, that vardenafil has a favorable acute effect on aortic
stiffness and wave reflection in ED patients.
Συγγραφείς:
Vlachopoulos, Charalambos
Terentes-Printzios, Dimitrios and
Ioakeimidis, Nikolaos
Rokkas, Konstantinos
Samentzas, Alexios
and Aggelis, Athanasios
Kardara, Despina
Stefanadis,
Christodoulos
