多普勒超声对海绵体内小剂量联合用药的疗效评价

目的本文探讨多普勒超声在评价阴茎海绵体内前列腺素E1 (PGE1)和罂粟硷(PAP)小剂量联合用药对勃起功能障碍(ED)的剂量选择.方法对20例勃起功能正常组和45例非血管性勃起功能障碍组采用不同剂量注射,用多普勒超声检测阴茎海绵体动脉收缩期最大流速(PSV)和舒张期流速(EDV).结果①小剂量(PGE1 10μg+PAP 7.5mg)联合用药就可明显增加阴茎血流,产生良好的勃起,与ICI前相比有显著差异(P＜0.01);②增加剂量注射与小剂量注射相比阴茎血流稍有增加,但各组之间无显著差异(P＞0.05);③小剂量联合用药未出现阴茎持续勃起和局部疼痛.结论多普勒超声可客观地评价阴茎的血流参数,为ICI的药物剂量选择提供依据,而小剂量联合用药对勃起功能障碍者能产生良好的阴茎血流,是治疗和筛选勃起功能障碍的一种有效方法.     

A Critical Analysis of the Role of Testosterone in Erectile Function: From Pathophysiology to Treatment—A Systematic Review

Context

Androgen modulation of erectile function (EF) is widely accepted. However, the use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in men with erectile dysfunction (ED) has generated an unprecedented debate.

Objective

To summarize the relevant data on the incidence, diagnosis, and management of ED coexisting with hypogonadism and to develop a pathophysiology-based treatment algorithm.

Evidence acquisition

We reviewed the relevant medical literature, with a particular emphasis on original molecular studies, prospective observational data, and randomized controlled trials performed in the past 20 yr.

Evidence synthesis

Testosterone modulates nearly every component involved in EF, from pelvic ganglions to smooth muscle and the endothelial cells of the corpora cavernosa. It also regulates the timing of the erectile process as a function of sexual desire, coordinating penile erection with sex. Epidemiologic studies confirm the significant overlap of hypogonadism and ED; however, most guidelines do not consider the differential diagnosis of hypogonadism or the relevance of subclinical disease. Various clinical tools can help the physician to assess and restore androgen levels in men with ED. Special attention is given to fertility-sparing treatments, due to the increasing number of older men desiring fatherhood. The simultaneous use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is) and TRT has recently been questioned. Originally proposed as a salvage therapy for nonresponders to PDE5-Is, this approach has been inappropriately transformed into a combination therapy. Clinical data are consistent when reinterpreted in the proper framework, whereas molecular evidence remains controversial.

Conclusions

A body of molecular and clinical evidence supports the use of TRT in hypogonadal patients with ED, although the benefit–risk ratio is uncertain in advanced age. Critical appraisal of this evidence enabled the development of a pathophysiology-oriented algorithm designed to avoid inappropriate treatments and support whether to start with TRT, PDE5-I only, or both. Apparently divergent findings are reconciled when TRT is correctly indicated. An improved diagnosis and individualized management is desirable in light of the many available options.     

A Systematic Review of the Association Between Erectile Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Disease

Context

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is considered a vascular impairment that shares many risk factors with cardiovascular disease (CVD). A correlation between ED and CVD has been hypothesized, and ED has been proposed as an early marker of symptomatic CVD.

Objective

To analyze the relationship between ED and CVD, evaluating the pathophysiologic links between these conditions, and to identify which patients would benefit from cardiologic assessment when presenting with ED.

Evidence acquisition

A systematic literature review searching Medline, Embase, and Web of Science databases was performed. The search strategy included the terms erectile dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, risk factors, pathophysiology, atherosclerosis, low androgen levels, inflammation, screening, and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors alone or in combination. We limited our search to studies published between January 2005 and May 2013.

Evidence synthesis

Several studies reported an association between ED and CVD. The link between these conditions might reside in the interaction between androgens, chronic inflammation, and cardiovascular risk factors that determines endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis, resulting in disorders of penile and coronary circulation. Because penile artery size is smaller compared with coronary arteries, the same level of endothelial dysfunction causes a more significant reduction of blood flow in erectile tissues compared with that in coronary circulation. Thus ED could be an indicator of systemic endothelial dysfunction. From a clinical standpoint, because ED may precede CVD, it can be used as an early marker to identify men at higher risk of CVD events. ED patients at high risk of CVD should undergo detailed cardiologic assessment and receive intensive treatment of risk factors.

Conclusions

ED and CVD should be regarded as two different manifestations of the same systemic disorder. ED usually precedes CVD onset, and it might be considered an early marker of symptomatic CVD.     

Disfunción eréctil,síndrome metabólico y arteriopatía. Relación clínico-patológica mediante ecografía carotídea

IntroductionDifferent studies have shown the relationship between erectile dysfunction, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of arteriopathy performing carotid ultrasound in patients with and without erectile dysfunction.Material and methodsWe conducted a case-control study with 44 patients consulting for erectile dysfunction and 20 controls. All subjects completed the IIEF-5 test and we studied the criteria for metabolic syndrome, and a carotid ultrasound to study the intima-media thickness and the presence of atherosclerotic plaques was performed.ResultsMean intima-media thickness was .71 mm ± .21 for the right and of .71 ± .17 for the left carotid in patients with erectile dysfunction. In the control group, the means were .54 ± 0.11 and 0.59 ± 0.15 mm respectively, statistically significant differences (P = .02 and P = .05 respectively). No plaque was found in any control, but in 25% of both carotid arteries of patients with erectile dysfunction (P = .01). As metabolic syndrome, according to the American Heart Association, were diagnosed 52.8% of patients with erectile dysfunction, and 16.7% of controls, and according to the International Diabetes Federation, 52.3% of patients with erectile dysfunction and 25% of controls met diagnostic criteria. In both cases there were significant differences (P < .01 and P = .02 respectively). We found a positive linear correlation between waist circumference and the intima-media thickness in both carotid (P < .05).ConclusionsPatients with erectile dysfunction may be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, as determined by the presence of arterial disease in the carotid arteries, which indicates that we should made a more thorough and comprehensive study of patients with erectile dysfunction.     

Epidemiology of erectile dysfunction

Following the landmark Massachusetts Male Aging Study (MMAS) that provided the first relatively unbiased study of the epidemiology of erectile dysfunction (ED), a number of additional studies were carried out in the U.S. and around the world. The studies vary in quality because they used different definitions of ED, different assessment instruments, different and sometimes biased sources of populations, inadequate response rates to questionnaires and interviews, cultural disparities in willingness to discuss sexual issues, and differing interpretations of the results. Nevertheless, the studies demonstrated similar levels of ED by age and an exponential rise with age. They also generally confirmed the conditions that correlated with ED in the MMAS, namely, diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, prostate cancer therapy, and depression. These were exacerbated by cigaret smoking.     

Polymeric stent materials dysregulate macrophage and endothelial cell functions: Implications for coronary artery stent

Background

Biodegradable polymers have been applied as bulk or coating materials for coronary artery stents. The degradation of polymers, however, could induce endothelial dysfunction and aggravate neointimal formation. Here we use polymeric microparticles to simulate and demonstrate the effects of degraded stent materials on phagocytic activity, cell death and dysfunction of macrophages and endothelial cells.

Methods

Microparticles made of low molecular weight polyesters were incubated with human macrophages and coronary artery endothelial cells (ECs). Microparticle-induced phagocytosis, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cytokine release and surface marker expression were determined by immunostaining or ELISA. Elastase expression was analyzed by ELISA and the elastase-mediated polymer degradation was assessed by mass spectrometry.

Results

We demonstrated that poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) microparticles induced cytotoxicity in macrophages and ECs, partially through cell apoptosis. The particle treatment alleviated EC phagocytosis, as opposed to macrophages, but enhanced the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 along with decreased nitric oxide production, indicating that ECs were activated and lost their capacity to maintain homeostasis. The activation of both cell types induced the release of elastase or elastase-like protease, which further accelerated polymer degradation.

Conclusions

This study revealed that low molecule weight PLLA and PCL microparticles increased cytotoxicity and dysregulated endothelial cell function, which in turn enhanced elastase release and polymer degradation. These indicate that polymer or polymer-coated stents impose a risk of endothelial dysfunction after deployment which can potentially lead to delayed endothelialization, neointimal hyperplasia and late thrombosis.     

‘A reservoir within a reservoir’ – An unusual complication associated with a defunctioned inflatable penile prosthesis reservoir

INTRODUCTION

Inflatable penile prostheses (IPP) have been a successful method of treating men with erectile dysfunction since the early 1970s. IPP are comprised of two intracorporal cylinders, a scrotal pump and a fluid reservoir.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We present a case of a retained reservoir in a sixty eight year old gentlemen presenting with a cystic abdominal mass and bothersome LUTS, 15 years after the removal of the penile components of a three-piece penile prosthesis. Percutaneous drainage of the cyst was performed, with four litres of purulent fluid evacuated. A midline laparotomy was required to remove the reservoir and drain the collection completely.

DISCUSSION

Inflammatory reaction and subsequent erosion of an IPP reservoir is an infrequent but severe complication of IPP insertion, replacement or infection. Infection remains the primary indication for penile prosthesis removal and in this setting removal of the reservoir is routine. A thorough literature search has identified that in the non-infective setting, the routine removal of the original reservoir is not standard practice during three-component IPP replacement. In patients with a history of IPP presenting with new LUTS, reservoir erosion should be considered in the differential diagnosis and investigation with cystoscopy and computed tomography included early in the investigatory armament of the urologist.

CONCLUSION

It is our belief that a defunctionalized reservoir serves no purpose; rather it can only cause trouble in the future. Consequently, at our institution we do not leave defunctionalized reservoirs in situ.     

临床康复路径管理对卒中后气管切开患者拔管时间、功能障碍及医疗费用的影响

目的探讨临床康复路径管理对脑卒中后气管切开患者拔管时间、功能障碍及医疗保险费用支出的影响。方法采用随机数字表法将154例脑卒中后气管切开患者分为观察组及对照组, 每组77例。2组患者均给予常规康复治疗, 观察组患者在康复干预过程中实施临床康复路径管理。于治疗前、治疗2周、4周及6周后对2组患者拔管情况进行Kaplan-Meier分析, 并比较2组患者临床肺部感染评分(CPIS)、中文版切尔西物理功能评估量表(CPAx)评分及住院费用等指标。结果通过对2组患者随访发现, 观察组中位拔管时间(2 d)较对照组(10 d)明显缩短(P<0.05)。治疗2周、4周、6周后观察组患者CPIS评分[分别为(7.21±0.45)分、(4.58±0.19)分及(2.52±0.26)分]均显著低于治疗前及同期对照组水平(P<0.05)。对照组治疗4周、6周后CPIS评分[分别为(6.92±0.27)分和(4.02±0.31)分]均较治疗前明显降低(P<0.05)。观察组治疗2周、4周、6周后CPAx评分[分别为(17.21±1.36)分、(36.15±0.81)分和(42.59±2.6...