NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Vardenafil, a potent, highly selective phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor for treating erectile dysfunction, does not impair the ability of men with coronary artery disease (CAD) to exercise at levels equal to or greater than those reached during sexual intercourse, researchers report.

In a randomized crossover trial, Dr. Udho Thadani from Oklahoma University, Oklahoma City, and colleagues studied 41 men with stable exertional angina due to CAD and erectile dysfunction. The men were randomly assigned in crossover fashion to vardenafil 10 mg or placebo and after 1 hour they underwent exercise tolerance testing at 5-10 metabolic equivalents (METS).

Compared with placebo, vardenafil did not alter exercise time or the time to the awareness of angina, the researchers report in the December 4th issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. However, vardenafil did significantly prolong the time to ischemic threshold denoted by ST-segment changes.

During peak exercise there was no change in blood pressure, heart rate, or rate-pressure product with vardenafil compared with placebo, according to the report. Facial flushing and headache were the most common side effects and they were mild and short lasting.

Dr. Thadani and colleagues conclude that "vardenafil 10 mg did not impair CAD patients' ability to exercise at a level considered equivalent to or greater than sexual intercourse."

J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;40:2006-2012.

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