Artery Research (Dec 2009)

P2.08 INTERRELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN METABOLIC SYNDROME, ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION AND EARLY ATHEROSCLEROSIS

  • N. Ioakeimidis,
  • C. Vlachopoulos,
  • G. Antoniou,
  • K. Baou,
  • D. Terentes-Printzios,
  • A. Aggelis,
  • I. Dima,
  • P. Xaplanteris,
  • G. Lazaros,
  • C. Stefanadis

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.artres.2009.10.024
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 4

Abstract

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Purpose: Men with metabolic syndrome (MetS) have an increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED). Large artery stiffness is a marker of vascular wall changes associated with MetS. Aim of the study was to investigate associations between MetS, ED and changes in large artery properties. Methods: 179 consecutive men with ED were evaluated for penile vascular disease severity by Doppler ultrasonography. Lower Doppler velocities indicate impaired arterial function and vice versa. A mean PSV below 25cm/sec was considered to indicate severe arterial insufficiency (SAI). Large artery stiffness was evaluated with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) using high-fidelity pulse wave analysis. Results: Patients with SAI (n=56) compared to patients with non arteriogenic ED (PSV>25cm/s, n=123) had increased prevalence of MetS (49 vs.32 % respectively, P<0.05), whereas the 2 groups did not differ regarding age and smoking. Logistic regression analysis for MetS components revealed that blood pressure (OR 7.9, 95%CI, 2.1–30.1, P<0.001) and waist circumference (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.7– 15.1, P <0.01) were independent determinants of SAI after adjustment for confounders. PWV increased and PSV decreased as the number of MetS components increased (figure). Conclusions: MetS is strongly associated with increased penile vascular damage and impaired large artery elastic properties. Our findings suggest the presence of a common pathophysiologic pathway and provide a possible marker of risk for cardiovascular disease in men with MetS and ED.