Exercise training and erectile dysfunction in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract

Aim: to estimate the effects of exercise training on erectile function after coronary artery bypass grafting. Materials and methods. 114 men with stable coronary artery disease undergoing on - pump coronary artery bypass grafting were examined. Patients with ED were randomized into two groups comparable in the main demographic, clinical and baseline parameters: a group of patients undergoing supervised exercise trainings at the outpatient rehabilitation center (n=53) and a group of patients without any exercise trainings at the outpatient hospital (n=61). Patients were assessed 1, 6 and 12 months after CABG. All patients underwent echocardiography (ECHO-CG), bicycle ergometer test without discontinuation of the drug therapy, measurement of nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT), ultrasound assessment of the cavernous arteries with the further estimation of their endothelial function. Results. In addition to the expected improvements in exercise tolerance, regular cycling exercises led to a significant recovery of erectile function (number and duration of NTP, increased penile blood flow volume, estimated during NTP measurement), improved endothelial function of the cavernous arteries, compared to patients without exercise trainings. However, the obtained effects in the group with exercise trainings were short - term. One year after CABG, the number of NTP and penile blood flow volume were superior in patients undergoing exercise trainings. Differences in other parameters became less reliable between the groups. Conclusion. Aerobic exercise trainings appeared to be effective for optimizing exercise tolerance, erectile and endothelial function, and allow improving the prognosis of these patients and, therefore, are needed to be included in the rehabilitation programs for patients undergoing CABG.