[Physiopathology of erectile dysfunction due to cavernous venous insufficiency]

Venous insufficiency can cause impotence even in the presence of a normal arterial blood supply. This venous leak may be due to disorders of cavernous tissue (smooth muscle degeneration), disorders of the albuginea (poor compression of the perforating veins), neurotransmitter disturbances or autonomic nervous system disorders. All of these causes result in a pathological venous leak with a raised maintenance flow and abnormal cavernography.