Prevention of Ischemic Priapism in Sickle Cell Disease: Sildenafil

Priapism, a clinical disorder of erection, is associated with physical and psychological harm to patients. Its ischemic form is associated with penile pain and erectile tissue loss, potentially leading to permanent erectile dysfunction (ED). Ischemic priapism is notably common in sickle cell disease patients. Given that recent studies have implicated the nitrergic pathway in its pathophysiology, this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigated the safety and efficacy of a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, sildenafil, in preventing ischemic priapism in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients.

Source: Urology - September 29, 2015 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Aria Shakeri, Brandon Van Asseldonk, Dean S. Elterman, Peter Black Source Type: research