ORIGINAL ARTICLE Age-matched cavernous peak systolic velocity: a highly sensitive parameter in the diagnosis of arteriogenic erectile dysfunction

Recently it has been reported that there is a strict correlation between erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular diseases, but the importance of such relationship still needs to be addressed. Ultrasonographic peak systolic velocity (PSV), is considered a reliable parameter for the diagnosis of arteriogenic ED. However, the cut-off value of PSVo30 cm/s has sufficient sensitivity only in the diagnosis of advanced arteriogenic ED and it is not representative of peripheral vascular alterations. In the present study, we set up an age-adjustment of PSV – calculated with the formula PSVo6.73þ age 0.7 – that permits a more accurate diagnosis of vascular aetiology in ED patients and may predict the presence of carotid wall alterations. We studied 179 consecutive subjects (mean age 52 years, range 23–79 years), with a history of ED of at least 6 months, by means of penile colour doppler ultrasonography (P-CDU) and common carotid arteries colour doppler ultrasonography (CCA-CDU) between June 2003 and September 2004. Statistical analysis was carried out with the statistical software R. PSV and CCAD values showed a statistically significant negative correlation. Age adjustment further improved this relationship permitting to identify an age-dependent PSV cut-off given by the formula PSV o6.73þ age 0.7. The age-adjusted PSV cut-off allows an accurate interpretation of vascular aetiology in ED patients and predicts the presence of carotid wall alterations, from the intima-media pathologic thickness to the plaque formation, with high values of both sensitivity and specificity