Vascular Risk Factors as Predictors of Sexual Function Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

Abstract

Introduction A strong association between cardiovascular risk factors and erectile dysfunction (ED) was suggested. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the gold standard for surgical myocardial revascularization. Aim We herein evaluate the impact of vascular risk factors on postoperative sexual functions in patients undergo CABG. Main Outcome Measures ED severity by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and penile duplex study. Methods The present study included 100 patients who underwent CABG. The patients were evaluated by an abridged form of the IIEF-5 questionnaire, followed by CABG. Six months after surgery the erectile function of all patients was revaluated utilizing the IIEF-5. Results Number of risk factors was significantly associated with postoperative change in IIEF-5 score (P = 0.02). A post hoc analysis of the association revealed that patients with one risk factor were significantly more likely to have increased IIEF-5 scores (N = 18), whereas those with two or more risk factors were significantly more likely to have decreased IIEF-5 scores (N = 21, P < 0.05). Furthermore, those with no risk factors were significantly more likely to be stable (N = 8) compared with those with more than two risk factors, who were more likely to have decreased scores (P < 0.05). The hierarchical logistic regression results showed that when examining all risk factors simultaneously, because of multicollinearity, only hyperlipidemia was significantly associated with postoperative ED (odds ratio [OR] = 11.33, confirdence interval [CI] = 1.25, 102.82). Frequency of intercourse was also significantly associated with postoperative ED after controlling for risk factors (OR = 0.71, CI = 0.52, 0.97). Conclusions This data clearly shows that the number of cardiovascular risk factors is an essential predictive factor for sexual function following surgery. Only hyperlipidemia may play a predictive role for the future sexual function of patients undergo CABG.

Patients’ experiences with symptoms and needs in the early rehabilitation phase after coronary artery bypass grafting

“…Research in patients with heart conditions confirm that preoperative ED seems to be the best predictor of postoperative ED 45 . ED has been significantly associated with one or more cardiovascular or vascular risk factors 44,46 . Hence, the GP should incorporate ED in their consultation as several of the patients in this study were relieved to talk about it.…”

The Influence of Coronary Bypass on Endothelial and Erectile Dysfunction in Ischemic Heart Disease

“…Возобновление сексуальной активности после операции на сердце является важным фактором возвращения пациентов к обычной жизни [9]. Ряд авторов, наблюдавших за пациентами после КШ, отметили, что возобновление нормальной сексуальной активности является одним из важных аспектов улучшения клинических, физических, социальных аспектов после операции [10]. По данным Bernardo A., изучавшего эффективность КШ, сделан вывод, что наиболее показательным признаком восстановления пациентов после операции на сердце является возобновление их сексуальной активности [11].…”