Linking erectile dysfunction and coronary artery disease

• Published in: International journal of impotence research Vol. 17; no. S1; pp. S12 - S18
• Main Authors: RODRIGUEZ, J. J, AL DASHTI, R, SCHWARZ, E. R
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Basingstoke Nature Publishing 01.12.2005; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: Atherosclerosis; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular disease; Coronary Artery Disease - complications; Coronary Artery Disease - physiopathology; Coronary Artery Disease - therapy; Coronary heart disease; Coronary vessels; Diabetes Mellitus - physiopathology; Dyslipidemias - physiopathology; Endothelium, Vascular - physiology; Endothelium, Vascular - physiopathology; Erectile dysfunction; Erectile Dysfunction - drug therapy; Erectile Dysfunction - etiology; Erectile Dysfunction - physiopathology; Genetic Therapy - methods; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Heart; Hormones - therapeutic use; Humans; Hypertension - physiopathology; Male; Male genital diseases; Medical sciences; Non tumoral diseases; Obesity - physiopathology; Risk factors; Smoking; Vein & artery diseases; Human; coronary artery disease; Andrology; Endothelial cell; Erection disorders; Pathogenesis; Sexual dysfunction; Cardiovascular disease; Coronary heart disease; erectile dysfunction; Vascular disease; Atherosclerosis; Endothelial dysfunction; Male genital diseases; Sexual function
• ISSN: 0955-9930; 1476-5489
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.ijir.3901424

Coronary artery disease (CAD) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are both highly prevalent conditions that frequently coexist. Additionally, they share mutual vascular risk factors, suggesting that they are both manifestations of systemic vascular disease. The role of endothelial dysfunction in CAD is well established. Normal erectile function is primarily a vascular event that relies heavily on endothelially derived, nitric oxide-induced vasodilation. Accordingly, endothelial dysfunction appears to be a common pathological etiology and mechanism of disease progression between CAD and ED. The risk factors of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity and tobacco abuse contribute to endothelial dysfunction. This article reviews the role of vascular endothelium in health, the abnormalities resulting from vascular risk factors, and clinical trials evaluating the role of endothelial dysfunction in ED.