The safety of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors in valvular heart disease.

Abstract

ABSTRACT\nErectile dysfunction is a common entity in clinical practice. Primary erectile dysfunction not related to vasculopathy or psychiatric disorder, can be readily treated with phosphodiesterase inhibitors. These drugs have many physiologic effects which can alter a patient s hemodynamic profile considerably, especially in the presence of concomitant structural heart disease, specifically valvular heart disease. While some contraindications to use of PDE5 inhibitors in patients with cardiovascular disease are defined, the effect of these drugs in presence of valvular heart disease is not well documented. The purpose of this review is to analyze the data regarding the safety of PDE5 inhibitors in patients with valvular heart disease.