Atherosclerosis, erectile dysfunction

Wierzbicki AS, Solomon H, Lumb PJ, et al. Asymmetric dimethyl arginine levels correlate with cardiovascular risk factors in patients with erectile dysfunction. Atherosclerosis 2006 I 85 421-425. 

ElesberAA, Solomon H, Lennon RJ, etal. Coronary endothelial dysfunction is associated with erectile dysfunction and elevated asymmetric dimethylarginine in patients with early atherosclerosis. Eur HeartJ 2006 27 824-83 I. 

Vascular pathology may involve lesions of the inflow or outflow mechanisms of penile erection. Erectile dysfunction may be a manifestation of generalized atherosclerosis and may even be its initial presentation. Common risk factors associated with generalized penile arterial insufficiency include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, and pelvic irradiation (Rosen et al. 1991). Less commonly, local stenosis of the conunon penile artery may occur in men who have sustained blunt pelvic or perineal trauma (Levine et al. 1990). 

Erectile dysfunction is a multi-factorial disorder and a common presentation for several systemic illnesses, particularly vascular ocdusive diseases such as diabetes, arterial hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Few patients consult their dortor, and only a small proportion of them receive treatment Only few doctors take the initiative to discuss the question of their patients sex life (Costa et al. 2005). In fact, the dinician must be familiar with the pathophysiologic mechanisms of erectile dysfunction, its associations with other systemic diseases, the indications for spedalist referral, and the role of specialized testing to diagnose and treat this disorder effectively (Lobo and Nehra 2005). 

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