urografin-76 and Erectile-Dysfunction

We describe here a new procedure designed to enable reproducible sustained erection in a canine model. In 10 dogs, an end-to-side arteriovenous fistula was created between the inferior epigastric artery and deep dorsal vein. A chronic skin tunnel was created at the penile base. Blood flow, intracavernosal pressure and intraspongiosal pressure and blood gases were measured initially and 3 months later. Cuff application for 30 minutes was used daily. At 3 months, animals were sacrificed and biopsies obtained. Physiologic and histological parameters of erectile structures remained unchanged. Intracavernosal and intraspongiosal pressures increased to 33.7 +/- 6.7 mm Hg and 25.3 +/- 12.2 mm Hg (from 8.0 +/- 2.9 and 6.0 +/- 3.6 mm Hg) after cuff application. We conclude that sustained erections are feasible. This procedure appears safe for human trials.

Topics: Anastomosis, Surgical; Animals; Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; Biopsy; Blood Pressure; Carbon Dioxide; Constriction; Contrast Media; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; Diatrizoate; Diatrizoate Meglumine; Disease Models, Animal; Dogs; Drug Combinations; Epigastric Arteries; Erectile Dysfunction; Feasibility Studies; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Oxygen; Penile Erection; Penis; Pressure; Radiography; Regional Blood Flow; Reproducibility of Results; Safety; Scrotum; Vascular Patency; Veins