Volume 26, Issue 4 (July 2024) 26, 344–348; 10.4103/aja202384
Impact of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy on vascular parameters and sexual function in patients with arteriogenic erectile dysfunction
Rubino, Matteo1; Ricapito, Anna1; Finati, Marco1; Falagario, Ugo G1,2; Annese, Pasquale1; Mancini, Vito1; Busetto, Gian Maria1; Cormio, Luigi1,3; Carrieri, Giuseppe1; Bettocchi, Carlo1
1Andrology Unit, Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia, Foggia 71122, Italy 2Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden 3Department of Urology, Bonomo Teaching Hospital, University of Foggia, Andria 76123, Italy
Correspondence: Dr. GM Busetto (gianmaria.busetto@unifg.it)
05 March 2024
Abstract |
Previous published studies have shown an improvement of penile hemodynamic parameters after low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT). However, the clinical significance of these findings remains unclear, and definitive selection criteria for Li-ESWT based on preexisting comorbidities have yet to be established. This was an observational study of 113 patients with ED, evaluated between January 2019 and December 2021 in Andrology Unit at the Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, University of Foggia (Foggia, Italy). Penile dynamic Doppler was performed to evaluate vascular parameters and 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF-5) questionnaire was administered to assess the severity of ED. This was repeated 1 month after treatment. Patients with a peak systolic velocity (PSV) <30 cm s−1 were considered eligible for Li-ESWT. Our protocol consisted of 8 weekly sessions with 1500 strokes distributed in 5 different locations along the penis. After treatment, a significant mean (±standard deviation [s.d.]) PSV increase of 5.0 (±3.4) cm s−1 was recorded and 52/113 (46.0%) patients reached a PSV >30 cm s−1 at posttherapeutic penile dynamic Doppler. A clinically significant IIEF-5 score improvement was observed in 7 patients, 21 patients, and 2 patients with mild-to-moderate, moderate, and severe pretreatment ED, respectively. No different outcomes were assessed based on smoking habits, previous pelvic surgery, or use of oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5i). On the other side, only 1 (6.7%) in 15 patients with diabetes mellitus showed an IIEF-5 score improvement after Li-ESWT. Shockwave treatment determined a significant increase in PSV and correlated IIEF-5 improvement in ED patients. This advantage seemed particularly evident for moderate ED and was not affected by smoking habits, previous pelvic surgery, and use of PDE5i. Conversely, diabetic patients did not benefit from the treatment.
Full Text |
PDF |
|
|
Browse: 507 |
|