Correlation between internal pudendal artery stenosis and erectile dysfunction in patients with suspected coronary artery disease

Background

Stenoses of internal pudendal arteries (IPAs) appear to be related to erectile dysfunction (ED). Nevertheless, the correlation between the severity of ED and stenosis of the IPAs is not well established.

Objectives

To evaluate angiographic findings of IPAs in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and to assess the correlation between the severity of ED and IPA stenosis.

Materials and methods

Ninety-one patients who were scheduled for cardiac angiogram (CAG) because of suspected CAD participated. ED was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. Erectile function (EF) domain scoring was used to assess the severity of ED: severe (EF score = 1-10); moderate (11-16); mild-moderate (17-21); mild (22-25); and no ED (26-30). Angiography was performed in bilateral common, internal iliac, and IPAs and the location and extent of stenoses were measured. We divided patients according to those with maximum stenosis of l...