[Vascular investigation of impotence (author's transl)]

Approximately 25% of patients with impotence have erectile dysfunction of vascular origin, which requires systematic investigation in patients under 60 years of age because of the possibility of surgical treatment. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings, confirmed by two tests that are simple to conduct in ambulatory patients, doppler and plethymography. Arteriography of the sexual organs enables precise definition of the lesions, and surgery is indicated when there is strong clinical evidence, no other cause for the lesions can be found, and operative correction appears possible. Many unknown factors still exist in relation to the physiopathology of impotence of valvular origin. Current-research is directed towards detection and possible treatment of disorders of venous origin.