Erectile Dysfunction: A New Risk Factor for Heart Disease

Results of two new studies make a strong case for including ED in cardiovascular risk assessment.

Results of several studies have shown an association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and coronary artery disease; however, little is known about ED’s link to cardiovascular events. In two prospective studies, investigators sought to determine whether ED predicts cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes.

In a multicenter study from Italy, 291 consecutive men with type 2 diabetes and angiographically documented CAD were assessed for ED with a validated questionnaire and scoring system. ED was present in 118 patients (41%). During a mean follow-up of 47 months, significantly more major cardiovascular events occurred in patients with ED (25%) than in those without ED (11.0%, P=0.001). In multivariate analysis, ED was the only independ…

Reviewing Author

Howard C. Herrmann, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAffluent Medical; Artedrone; Caranx; Johnson & Johnson; Medtronic; Prolifagen; Wells Fargo

EquityMicrointerventional Devices, Inc.

RoyaltiesUniversity of Pennsylvania

Grant/Research SupportAbbott Vascular; Edwards Lifesciences; Johnson & Johnson; Medtronic

Editorial BoardsCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions; Journal of the American College of Cardiology; Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions; JACC Cardiovascular Interventions; JACC Case Reports; JSCAI

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHeart Valve Collaboratory (Scientific Committee Member, Chair of the Publications Committee)