Improved erectile function after cardiac resynchronization therapy in a patient with heart failure-a case report.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is very common among heart failure patients and has a very dramatic, negative impact on patients' quality of life. Both ED and heart failure have several risk factors in common; however, little data exist on the correlation between the heart failure-targeted interventions and improvement of ED.

AIM:

To report a case of improved sexual function after cardiac resynchronization.

METHODS:

We report the case of a 63-year-old man with ischemic cardiomyopathy and long-standing ED, who experienced significant improvement of his sexual function following biventricular pacing device implantation. Notably, earlier interventions attempting to improve his ED, namely, heart failure medication adjustments and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, have failed.

RESULTS:

Following cardiac resynchronization therapy, patient's erectile function improved without any other ED-specific treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of improved sexual function in a patient with heart failure and ED following cardiac resynchronization therapy. Although the exact mechanisms remain unknown, we believe that cardiac resynchronization improves ED through improved cardiac and endothelial function.

• Authors: Damian Domanski, Salvatore Rosanio, Ernst R Schwarz
• Journal: The journal of sexual medicine (J Sex Med) Vol. 6 Issue 10 Pg. 2910-4 (Oct 2009) ISSN: 1743-6109 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 19453907 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Cardiac Pacing, Artificial
• Cardiomyopathy, Dilated (complications, therapy)
• Humans
• Impotence, Vasculogenic (etiology, therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Penile Erection
• Treatment Outcome