Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Mouse Heterotopic Cervical Cardiac Transplantation Utilizing Vascular Cuffs
Published on: June 23, 2022
Vascular effects of sildenafil in hypertensive cardiac transplant recipients
Richard S Schofield1, David G Edwards, Brian T Schuler
1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Shands Transplant Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA. schofrs@medicine.ufl.edu
Insights
Sildenafil (50 mg) is well tolerated in hypertensive cardiac transplant recipients (CTR), improving blood pressure and endothelial function. It also reduces left ventricular afterload and systolic stress by altering aortic pressure wave dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- Sildenafil is used for erectile dysfunction in hypertensive male cardiac transplant recipients (CTR).
- Vascular effects of sildenafil in this specific patient population are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the vascular effects of sildenafil in hypertensive male CTR.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of sildenafil in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- 15 hypertensive male CTR received oral sildenafil (50 mg).
- Central and peripheral arterial blood pressure (BP), heart rate, and brachial artery reactivity were measured before and after administration.
Main Results:
- Sildenafil improved brachial and aortic systolic BP, pulse pressure, and aortic augmentation index.
- Brachial artery reactivity and endothelial function showed significant improvement (P <.01).
- No patient experienced hypotension despite continuing antihypertensive medications.
Conclusions:
- Sildenafil (50 mg) is well-tolerated in hypertensive CTR.
- Sildenafil enhances blood pressure control, improves endothelial function, and reduces left ventricular afterload and systolic stress.
- The drug favorably modifies aortic pressure wave characteristics, decreasing reflected wave amplitude and delaying its return.
Background:
Sildenafil is commonly used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in hypertensive male cardiac transplant recipients (CTR); however, little is known about the vascular effects of sildenafil in these patients.
Methods:
Central and peripheral arterial blood pressure (BP), heart rate, and brachial artery reactivity were determined in 15 hypertensive male CTR before and after oral sildenafil (50 mg) administration.
Results:
Sildenafil improved brachial and aortic systolic BP, pulse pressure, aortic augmentation index, left ventricular tension time index, travel time of the reflected aortic pressure wave, and brachial artery reactivity (P <.01 for each comparison). No patient became hypotensive with sildenafil despite continuation of usual antihypertensive medications.
Conclusions:
Sildenafil (50 mg) is well tolerated in hypertensive CTR and improves BP, aortic augmentation index, and endothelial function. By decreasing the amplitude of the reflected pressure wave and delaying its return to the heart, sildenafil reduces left ventricular afterload and systolic stress.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
Among the PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil (Revatio) stands out as a competitive and selective inhibitor. It operates by elevating cellular levels of cGMP and augmenting signaling through the cGMP-PKG pathway, promoting vasodilation. Upon oral...
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
01:30Heart Failure V: Medical Management