Objectives: To review the evidence currently available to establish the pathogenic connection between erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the effects this scientific progress has introduced in the classical impotence urology clinic.
Methods: We reviewed the most recent publications about this disease (2000-2004) and the concept of endothelial dysfunction by appropriate MEDLINE searches, with specific selection of reviews and clinical practice guidelines.
Results: The fact that ED and CVD share risk factors is confirmed; the pathogenic unity of both processes having endothelial dysfunction as the underlying problem; anticipation of ED over CVD in time of presentation; notable increase of research about this issue over the last two years; the change of scenario in the impotence urology clinics due to these findings.
Conclusions: The number of cases in which ED is not an organ disease but an early symptom of endothelial dysfunction forces changes in the extent and depth of the diagnostic, prognostic and follow-up strategies in the urology impotence clinics of extraordinary importance from both the individual and health-care politics point of view.