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REVIEW
Minerva Cardiology and Angiology 2021 October;69(5):579-95
DOI: 10.23736/S2724-5683.20.05136-1
Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA
language: English
Endovascular therapy for erectile dysfunction: current knowledge and future perspectives
Giuseppe SANGIORGI 1 ✉, Alessandra PIZZUTO 2, Nicolas DIEHM 3, Francesco GRECO 4, Ferdinando FUSCO 5, Gaetano CHIRICOLO 2, Alberto VISMARA 6, Vincenzo M. ALTIERI 6, Alberto CEREDA 7, Sante BONGO 7
1 Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy; 2 Division of Cardiology, Department of Systemic Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy; 3 Vascular Institute Central Switzerland, Aarau, Switzerland; 4 Urologic Clinic, Centro Salute Uomo, Bergamo, Italy; 5 Department of Urology, Luigi Vanvitelli University, Caserta, Italy; 6 Department of Urology, Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital, Bergamo, Italy; 7 Division of Cardiology, San Gaudenzio Clinic, Novara, Italy
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to attain or maintain penile erection sufficient for successful sexual intercourse. ED carries a notable influence on quality of life, with significant implications for family and social relationships. Because atherosclerosis of penile arteries represents one of the most frequent causes of ED, patients presenting with it should always be investigated for potential coexistent coronary or peripheral disease. Up to 75% of patients with ED have a stenosis of the iliac-pudendal-penile arteries, supplying perfusion of the male genital organ. Recently the potential treatment of this pathological condition by percutaneous approaches has emerged with good angiographic results and with a significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life. This review will focus on the normal anatomy and physiology of erection, the pathophysiology of ED, the relation between ED and cardiovascular diseases and, lastly, on new treatment modalities aimed at restoration of normal erectile function.
KEY WORDS: Erectile dysfunction; Balloon occlusion; Embolization, therapeutic