Improved erectile function after cardiac resynchronization therapy in a patient with heart failure-a case report.
BACKGROUND
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is very common among heart failure patients and has a very dramatic, negative impact on patients' quality of life. Both ED and heart failure have several risk factors in common; however, little data exist on the correlation between the heart failure-targeted interventions and improvement of ED.


OBJECTIVE
To report a case of improved sexual function after cardiac resynchronization.


METHODS
We report the case of a 63-year-old man with ischemic cardiomyopathy and long-standing ED, who experienced significant improvement of his sexual function following biventricular pacing device implantation. Notably, earlier interventions attempting to improve his ED, namely, heart failure medication adjustments and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, have failed.


RESULTS
Following cardiac resynchronization therapy, patient's erectile function improved without any other ED-specific treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of improved sexual function in a patient with heart failure and ED following cardiac resynchronization therapy. Although the exact mechanisms remain unknown, we believe that cardiac resynchronization improves ED through improved cardiac and endothelial function.
Domanski
Damian
D
Cedars Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
Rosanio
Salvatore
S
Schwarz
Ernst R
ER
D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D018783:Impotence, Vasculogenic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection; D016896:Treatment Outcome