Severity of erectile dysfunction could predict left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients without overt cardiac complaint.

INTRODUCTION: It has been repeatedly demonstrated that presence of erectile dysfunction (ED) may predate the occurrence of overt event of coronary artery disease. However, the association between severity of ED and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) was rarely reported.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the association between severity of ED and LVDD in patients without overt cardiac complaint.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) was used to assess erectile function. Diastolic Doppler parameters measurements and tissue Doppler imaging were used to assess left ventricular diastolic function.

METHODS: A total of 230 male ED patients without overt cardiac complaint were enrolled in this study. Erectile function was assessed using the IIEF. Patients were also screened for socio demographic data and medical comorbidities that included age, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. All patients were referred to cardiologist for cardiac assessment. Left ventricular diastolic function that included diastolic Doppler parameters measurements and tissue Doppler imaging were also assessed.

RESULTS: Mean age±standard deviation was 57.5±5.6 (range of 42-81). There were significant associations between the following risk factors: age, obesity, smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and increased severity of ED (P<0.05 for each). Of the patients, 77.4%, 74.8%, 80%, and 66.1% had abnormal transmitral E/A (E/A) ratio, deceleration time (DT), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), mitral E velocity/tissue Doppler imaging E velocity (E/Em) ratio, respectively. Only the means of IVRT and (E/Em) ratio had significant associations with increased severity of ED (P<0.001 for each). There were significant associations between increased severity of ED and the following categorical echo parameters: grades 1 and 2 of E/A ratio, DT, IVRT, and grades 1, 2, and 3 of (E/Em) ratio (P<0.05 for each).

CONCLUSIONS: The current study clearly demonstrated that LVDD is prevalent among patients with ED-associated medical comorbidities without overt cardiac complaint. There were significant associations between increased severity of ED and presence of LVDD in those patients.