To assess the prevalence of myocardial impairment in men with erectile dysfunction (ED) as compared with the general population using conventional and two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography.
In this cross-sectional study, men with ED underwent clinical, electrocardiographic, and transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) according to a predefined protocol. All participants were matched 1:1 with controls from the general population on sex, age, and body mass index (BMI).
In total, 796 people were included, 398 men with ED and 398 controls. The ED group had a median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of 61 (53-70) years and a median (IQR) BMI of 26.3 (24-29) kg/m2. Left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction was found in 232 (58.3%) men with ED compared to 102 (25.6%) controls (P < 0.001). Nineteen (4.8%) men with ED were referred for further cardiovascular evaluation.
More than half of men with ED exhibited signs of cardiac dysfunction, particularly LV systolic dysfunction. Further research should explore the long-term prognostic implications of these findings.
BJU international. 2025 Jun 19 [Epub ahead of print]
Emil Durukan, Christian Fuglesang S Jensen, Maria Dons, Morten Sengeløv, Nino Emanuel Landler, Kristoffer Grundtvig Skaarup, Mats C Højbjerg Lassen, Niklas Dyrby Johansen, Peter Busch Østergren, Jens Sønksen, Mikkel Fode, Tor Biering-Sørensen
Department of Urology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark., Cardiovascular Non-Invasive Imaging Research Laboratory, Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark.