Sildenafil improves quality of life in men with heart failure and erectile dysfunction

Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) have specific factors that enhance the risk for erectile dysfunction (ED), such as low cardiac output and the use of drugs with vasodilator effect. ED can negatively affect interpersonal relationships and self-esteem, with significant impact on the quality of life. We hypothesized that the improvement of the sexual dysfunction would enhance the quality of life of individuals with systolic heart failure. This is a prospective study of 12 male CHF patients using a fixed dose of sildenafil during 1 month. Patients were included if they had left ventricular ejection fraction lower than 40% documented by echocardiography and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score lower than 21. The effect of sildenafil in quality of life was evaluated by the Minnesota questionnaire. Improvement in ED was assessed using the IIEF. The mean IIEF5 score was 9.6 (+/-3.8) before the use of sildenafil and 19.3 (+/-4.3) after sildenafil (P = 0.0001). The mean Minnesota score was 28.75 (+/-21) before treatment and 12.75 (+/-10.1) after the intervention (P = 0.012). In conclusion, the sexual function improvement provided by sildenafil enhances quality of life in individuals with systolic heart failure.