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Sildenafil Effective, Well-Tolerated Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction among Congestive Heart Failure Patients: Presented at HFSA

By Steven Wagner

LAS VEGAS, NV -- September 25, 2003 -- Sildenafil was effective and well tolerated as treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), with side effects comparable to those reported by patients with other forms of cardiovascular disease, according to the results of a 12-week trial.

One of the most common and distressing byproducts of congestive heart failure is erectile dysfunction, which occurs in up to three-quarters of all patients with CHF.

Stuart D. Katz, MD, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States, and colleagues evaluated both the efficacy and tolerability of sildenafil in men with documented ED and stable CHF. The results were presented here at the 7^th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Heart Failure Society of America.

"This was a study to see about the safety and efficacy of Viagra in patients with mild to moderate heart failure," said Dr Katz. "These were not severely ill patients. These were patients who had stable, compensated heart failure."

Sixty men were given sildenafil and 72 received placebo in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study. By the twelfth week, patients reported improvement in both frequency of penetration and frequency of maintained erection following penetration. Larger percentages of sildenafil patients reported improved erections (74%) and an improved overall ability to perform intercourse (68%). Overall, sildenafil patients were highly satisfied with their treatment, although adverse effects were noted in nearly two-thirds of patients. Those included transient headache, flushing and asthenia. One patient discontinued use of the drug because of treatment-related headache.

"We saw a huge difference between the 2 groups," Dr. Katz said. "Very low placebo response rate in this study. In terms of efficacy, the results were very clear cut."

"We think this is an important quality of life issue," Dr. Katz said. "Erectile dysfunction is highly prevalent in this group, in some studies up to 80% of men. Heart failure patients rate erectile dysfunction among the most disturbing symptoms that they experience. We think it's an important message to get out that sildenafil is safe. It's a simple thing we can do to make their lives a little bit better."


[Study title: Efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in men with erectile dysfunction and congestive heart failure: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Abstract s57]

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