Abstract
Normal erectile function requires adequate penile arterial inflow, normal penile architecture and an intact venous capacitance system. Vascular disease is the dominant etiology of erectile dysfunction (ED) and current medical therapy increases penile blood flow. However, in a large proportion of patients, medical therapy is inadequate or contraindicated requiring the use of mechanical constrictive devices or implantation of a penile prosthesis. Rapid advances in endovascular intervention have allowed safe and effective treatment of small arteries in other vascular beds. A minimally invasive approach targeting penile arterial inflow disease may prove to be safe and effective. In this paper, we discuss the normal arterial blood supply to the penis, describe angiographic findings in patients with ED, and critically review the published data on endovascular and microsurgical approaches at reestablishing penile blood flow. Lastly, we offer a potential algorithm and procedural tips for endovascular intervention for ED.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: •• Of major importance
Bhatt DL, Steg PG, Ohman EM. International prevalence, recognition, and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in outpatients with atherothrombosis. JAMA. 2006;295:180–9.
Ayta IA, McKinlay JB, Krane RJ. The likely worldwide increase in erectile dysfunction between 1995 and 2025 and some possible policy consequences. BJU Int. 1999;84:50–6.
Thompson IM, Tangen CM, Goodman PJ. Erectile dysfunction and subsequent cardiovascular disease. JAMA. 2005;294:2996–3002.
Gazzaruso C, Giordanetti S, De Amici E. Relationship between erectile dysfunction and silent myocardial ischemia in apparently uncomplicated type 2 diabetic patients. Circ. 2004;110:22–6.
Wespes E, Amar E, Hatzichristou D. Guidelines on erectile dysfunction. Eur Urol. 2002;41:1–5.
Montague DK, Jarow JP, Broderick GA. Chapter 1: The management of erectile dysfunction: an AUA update. J Urol. 2005;174:230–9.
Rogers JH, Karimi H, Kao J. Internal pudendal artery stenoses and erectile dysfunction: correlation with angiographic coronary artery disease. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2010;76:882–7.
La LR. Presse Medicale. 1949;57:906.
May AG, DeWeese JA, Rob CG. Changes in sexual function following operation on the abdominal aorta. Surgery. 1969;65:41–7.
Carstensen G. Treatment of impotentia coeundi by reconstructing the circulation in the internal iliac artery. Langenbecks Archiv fur Chirurgie. 1969;325:885–8.
Michal V, Kramar R, Pospichal J. [Direct arterial anastomosis on corpora cavernosa penis in the therapy of erective impotence]. Rozhledy v chirurgii : mesicnik Ceskoslovenske chirurgicke spolecnosti. 1973;52:587–90.
Zorgniotti AW, Padula G, Rossi G. Impotence caused by pudendal arteriovenous fistula. Urology. 1979;14:161–2.
Michal V, Pospichal J. Phalloarteriography in the diagnosis of erectile impotence. World J Surg. 1978;2:239–48.
Herman A, Adar R, Rubinstein Z. Vascular lesions associated with impotence in diabetic and nondiabetic arterial occlusive disease. Diabetes. 1978;27:975–81.
Struyven J, Gregoir W, Giannakopoulos X. Selective pudendal arteriography. Eur Urol. 1979;5:233–42.
Huguet JF, Clerissi J, Juhan C. Radiologic anatomy of pudendal artery. Eur J Radiol. 1981;1:278–84.
Buvat J, Lemaire A, Buvat-Herbaut M. Comparative investigations in 26 impotent and 26 nonimpotent diabetic patients. J Urol. 1985;133:34–8.
Bruhlmann W, Pouliadis G, Zollikofer C. Arteriography of the penis in secondary impotence. Urologic Radiol. 1982;4:243–9.
Nessi R, De Flaviis L, Bellinzoni G. Digital angiography of erectile failure. Br J Urol. 1987;59:584–9.
Gray RR, Keresteci AG, St Louis EL. Investigation of impotence by internal pudendal angiography: experience with 73 cases. Radiology. 1982;144:773–80.
Valji K, Bookstein JJ. Transluminal angioplasty in the treatment of arteriogenic impotence. Cardiovasc Interv Radiol. 1988;11:245–52.
Rosen MP, Greenfield AJ, Walker TG. Arteriogenic impotence: findings in 195 impotent men examined with selective internal pudendal angiography. Radiology. 1990;174:1043–8.
Buvat J, Lemaire A, Besson P. Lack of correlations between penile thermography and pelvic arteriography in 29 cases of erectile impotence. J Urol. 1982;128:298–9.
Kawanishi Y, Muguruma H, Sugiyama H. Variations of the internal pudendal artery as a congenital contributing factor to age at onset of erectile dysfunction in Japanese. BJU Int. 2008;101:581–7.
Michal V, Kramar R, Hejhal L. [Tactics of reconstruction interventions in the aortoiliac area from the viewpoint of erectivity disorders in men]. Rozhledy v chirurgii : mesicnik Ceskoslovenske chirurgicke spolecnosti. 1973;52:591–5.
Michal V, Kramar R, Pospichal J, Hejhal L. Direct arterial anastomosis on corpora cavernosal penis in the therapy of erectile impotence. J Sex Med. 2008;5:1062–5.
Hauri D. Surgical possibilities in treatment of vascular-induced erectile impotence. Der Urologe Ausg A. 1989;28:260–5.
Virag R, Saltiel H, Floresco J. Surgical treatment of vascular impotence by arterialization of the dorsal vein of the penis. Experience of 292 cases. Chir Mem Acad Chir. 1988;114:703–14.
Rosen RC, Cappelleri JC, Smith MD. Development and evaluation of an abridged, 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) as a diagnostic tool for erectile dysfunction. Int J Impot Res. 1999;1:319–26.
Heruti RJ, Yossef M, Shochat T. Screening for erectile dysfunction as part of periodic examination programs–concept and implementation. Int J Impot Res. 2004;16:341–5.
Valji K, Bookstein JJ. Diagnosis of arteriogenic impotence: efficacy of duplex sonography as a screening tool. Am J Roentgenol. 1993;160:65–9.
Quam JP, King BF, James EM. Duplex and color Doppler sonographic evaluation of vasculogenic impotence. Am J Roentgenol. 1989;153:1141–7.
Castaneda-Zuniga WR, Smith A, Kaye K. Transluminal angioplasty for treatment of vasculogenic impotence. Am J Roentgenol. 1982;139:371–3.
Van Unnik JG, Marsman JW. Impotence due to the external iliac steal syndrome treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. J Urol. 1984;131:544–5.
Goldwasser B, Carson 3rd CC, Braun SD. Impotence due to the pelvic steal syndrome: treatment by iliac transluminal angioplasty. J Urol. 1985;133:860–1.
Dewar ML, Blundell PE, Lidstone D. Effects of abdominal aneurysmectomy, aortoiliac bypass grafting and angioplasty on male sexual potency: a prospective study. Can J Surg. 1985;28:154–6. 159.
Angelini G, Pezzini F, Mucci P. Arteriosclerosis and impotence. Minerva Psichiatr. 1985;26:353–17.
Urigo F, Pischedda A, Maiore M. Role of arteriography and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in the diagnosis and treatment of arterial vasculogenic impotence. Radiol Med. 1994;88:86–92.
•• Rogers J, Goldstein I, Kandzari DE. Zotarolimus-eluting peripheral stents for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in subjects with suboptimal response to phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2012;60(25):2618–2. This reference is of paramount importance because it is the only randomized clinical trial comparing stenting to medical therapy for erectile dysfunction.
Shishehbor MH, Philip F. Endovascular treatment of erectile dysfunction: an old paradigm revisited. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2012;60(25):2628–30
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank Marion Tomasko, BA for the medical illustrations.
Conflicts of interest
Femi Philip declares that he has no conflict of interest.
Mehdi H. Shishehbor has been a consultant without personal compensation for Abbott Vascular, BARD, Medtronic, Bayer, Spectranetics, and Gore; and has received travel/accommodations expenses covered or reimbursed by Abbott Vascular, BARD, Medtronic, Bayer, and Spectranetics.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
This article is part of the Topical Collection on Peripheral Vascular Disease
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Philip, F., Shishehbor, M.H. Current State of Endovascular Treatment for Vasculogenic Erectile Dysfunction. Curr Cardiol Rep 15, 360 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-013-0360-8
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-013-0360-8