Inverse correlation between testosterone and ventricle ejection fraction, hemodynamics and exercise capacity in heart failure patients with erectile dysfunction.
BACKGROUND
Neurohormonal activation and abnormalities in growth hormone and testosterone concentrations have been reported in heart failure (HF). Erectile dysfunction(ED) is common in these patients and contributes to a low quality of life. No data are known regarding the correlation between testosterone and hemodynamics, exercise capacity and cardiac function in HF patients with ED, a marker of endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to correlate testosterone levels with cardiac function, hemodynamic and exercise capacity in HF patients with ED.


METHODS
Fifteen HF patients underwent a six-minute treadmill cardiopulmonary walking test (6'CWT) and, ten minutes later, a maximum cardiopulmonary exercise test. Also, testosterone and other hormones were determined at rest.


RESULTS
Among hemodynamic variables only diastolic blood pressure on 6'CWT was correlated with testosterone levels(r=-0.66, p=0.007). The variables on exercise tests, VE/VCO2 slope and oxygen consumption did not show any correlation, except the distance at 6'CWT (r=0.50, p=0,047). Right and left ventricle ejection fraction showed inverse correlation with testosterone (r=-0.55, p=0.03 and r=-0.69, p=0.004 respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Testosterone levels correlated directly with distance at six-minute cardiopulmonary walk test and inversely with diastolic blood pressure, right and left ventricle ejection fraction in heart failure patients with erectile dysfunction. Further elucidation of mechanisms as regards testosterone action in these patients is warranted.
Bocchi
Edimar A
EA
Laboratory of Heart Failure and Transplantation, Heart Institute, Incor, University of Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Carvalho
Vitor O
VO
Guimaraes
Guilherme V
GV
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D006304:Health Status; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000503:physiopathology*
D013739:Testosterone