Cardiovascular effects of sildenafil during exercise in men with known or probable coronary artery disease: a...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pharmacology
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• The cardiovascular safety of sildenafil citrate in men with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing exertion remains incompletely understood.
• Existing data do not clarify the potential risks or benefits of sildenafil use in this patient population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cardiovascular effects of sildenafil administration during exercise.
• To assess the impact of sildenafil on exercise capacity and ischemia in men with established coronary artery disease.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.
• 105 men with erectile dysfunction and CAD underwent two exercise echocardiograms.
• Participants received either sildenafil (50 or 100 mg) or placebo one hour prior to each test.

Main Results:

• Sildenafil use resulted in a small but significant reduction in resting systolic blood pressure compared to placebo.
• No significant differences were observed in exercise capacity, heart rate, blood pressure response during exercise, or the development/severity of exercise-induced ischemia between sildenafil and placebo groups.
• Symptom development (dyspnea, angina) and positive exercise electrocardiograms were similar across both treatment arms.

Conclusions:

• In men with stable coronary artery disease, sildenafil does not appear to negatively impact exercise duration or induce significant ischemia.
• The study suggests that sildenafil is safe concerning exercise-induced cardiovascular events in this specific patient group, as assessed by exercise echocardiography.