Abstract:
Background: Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to get sufficient erection for a satisfactory sexual intercourse. Penile erection is a complex
phenomenon that involves a coordinated interaction of psychological, hormonal, nervous, arterial, venous and sinusoidal systems. According to recent
studies, on average about 10% of men aged 40–70 years have severe or complete erectile dysfunction, and about 20–40% – partial erectile dysfunction.
According to the 2018 European Association of Urologists (EAU) Guide, up to 12% of the European male population up to the age of 40 has a certain
degree of erectile dysfunction (from minor to severe), after 40 years, this figure exceeds 50%. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in the Republic
of Moldova is significantly higher in men over the age of 40–67.4%, compared to men up to the age of 40–21.1%. Imaging-directed Doppler ultrasound
of the cavernous arteries provides a functional and quantifiable assessment of the arterial flow of the penis during a pharmacological erection. Subjects
without vascular disease show arterial dilation after intracavitary injection, the vessels appearing with thin and parallel walls, homogeneous lumen and
following a straight course, subjects with arteriogenic problems had thickened walls and an inhomogeneous lumen. It is also mentioned that no differences
were observed between the two drugs. At the same time, to achieve maximum erection using intravenous injections with a vasodilator is a sign of the
veno-occlusive cause, which is independent of both penile stiffness and tumescence. Patients with arterial insufficiency were relatively older than other
patients. They also had complicated medical conditions for diabetes and hypertension.
Conclusions: Vascular etiologies are important contributors to erectile dysfunction. Arterial insufficiency is suspected with poor blood flow, while venoocclusive
dysfunction is lower in the face of adequate blood flow and poor erectilesponse.
Description:
Department of Anatomy and Clinical Anatomy,
Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova.
The 75th anniversary of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova (1945-2020)