Influence of regular use of vardenafil on endothelial and erectile functions in patients with arteriogenic erectile dysfunction

Aim. To study the influence of long-term of vardenafil use on endothelial and erectile functions in patients with arteriogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) Subjects and methods. The study included 74 arteriogenic ED patients (mean age 57.4 ± 4.7 years). In addition to a comprehensive andrological examination, all the patients underwent the estimation of the endothelial function of cavernous arteries, the indicator of which is the percentage increase in the diameter of cavernous arteries. The patients were divided into 3 groups: 1) 24 patients receiving vardenafil on demand in a dose of 10 mg; 2) 26 patients taking the drug on demand in a dose of 20 mg; and 3) 24 patients regularly using the agent in a dose of 10 mg every other day. Endothelial and erective functions were re-estimated 1, 3, and 6 months after the initiation of vardenafil therapy and a month following its discontinuation. Results. Erectile function improvement was noted just a month after the initiation of vardenafil therapy and achieved the maximum values by month 6. The highest erectile function parameters were observed in Group 3. There was a significant endothelial function improvement only in Group 3; the peak effect was achieved by month 6 of treatment. Conclusion. The long-term use of vardenafil contributes to the improvement of both erectile and endothelial functions in patients with arteriogenic ED.