Evaluation of ventricular repolarization parameters in patients with erectile dysfunction

Aims: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is recognized as a good predictor of future cardiovascular disease (CVD). There are also studies showing that ventricular repolarization parameters on Electrocardiography (ECG) are associated with increased ventricular arrhythmogenesis and sudden death for various diseases. In this study, we will investigate the relationship between ED and Tp-e to QTc ratio, Tp-e interval/QT interval (Tp-e/QT) ratio and Tp-e interval. Methods: The study included 87 patients admitted to the urology clinic of our hospital and diagnosed with vascular ED. The distance between the peak of the T wave and the end of the T wave was defined as the Tp-e interval. QT interval was defined as the interval from the beginning of the QRS complex to the end of the T wave and adjusted according to heart rate (QTc, Bazett formula). Results: Tp-e-QTc ratio, Tp-e-QT ratio and Tp-e interval were statistically and significantly higher in patients with ED compared to the control group (overall p<0.01). Our correlation analysis found significant negative correlations between IIEF-5 score and Tp-e-QTc ratio, Tp-e-QT ratio and Tp-e interval in patients with ED (r=-0.714, p<0.001; r=-0.729, p<0.001, r=-0.776, p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: We found that Tp-e/QTc ratio, Tp-e/QT ratio and Tp-e interval, which are considered to be important for fatal ventricular arrhythmias on ECG, were significantly longer in emergency department patients.