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Beneficial Effect of Vardenafil on Aortic Stiffness and Wave Reflections
Author(s) -
Vlachopoulos Charalambos,
TerentesPrintzios Dimitrios,
Ioakeimidis Nikolaos,
Rokkas Konstantinos,
Samentzas Alexios,
Aggelis Athanasios,
Kardara Despina,
Stefanadis Christodoulos
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.92
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1552-4604
pISSN - 0091-2700
DOI - 10.1177/0091270011413586
Subject(s) - vardenafil , pulse wave velocity , medicine , cardiology , arterial stiffness , pulse pressure , blood pressure , aortic pressure , placebo , aorta , erectile dysfunction , tadalafil , alternative medicine , pathology
Although vardenafil is widely prescribed for erectile dysfunction (ED), its effect on arterial function is not defined. Aortic stiffness, aortic pressures, and wave reflections are predictors of cardiovascular risk. The investigators assessed the hypothesis that vardenafil acutely improves aortic stiffness, aortic pressures, and wave reflections in ED patients. Twelve ED patients (mean age 58 ± 9 years) received vardenafil 20 mg in a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, 2‐way crossover design. Aortic stiffness was evaluated with carotid—femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV); wave reflections and aortic pressures were evaluated with augmentation index (AIx) and systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressure of the aortic pressure waveform, respectively. PWV, aortic pressures, and AIx were measured at baseline and for 3 hours after vardenafil intake or placebo. PWV decreased significantly (by 0.7 m/s, P = .001), denoting a decrease in aortic stiffness. AIx decreased significantly (by 7% , P = .008), denoting a decreased effect of wave reflections from the periphery. Aortic pressures decreased significantly (all P < .05). Statin use at baseline significantly interacted with the effects of treatment on both PWV and AIx ( P = .003 and P < .001, respectively). This study shows, for the first time, that vardenafil has a favorable acute effect on aortic stiffness and wave reflection in ED patients .