Papaverine-Induced Penile Blood Flow Acceleration in Impotent Men Measured by Duplex Scanning

Abstract

We assessed the value of penile blood flow acceleration as a parameter in the evaluation of the penile arteries. Duplex sonography and pulsed Doppler analysis with papaverine were performed in 50 impotent men. Measured parameters included cavernous artery diameters before and after papaverine, post-papaverine peak blood flow velocity and blood flow acceleration. Erections were graded subjectively on a scale of 1 to 4, with 4 being a full erection. Penile blood flow acceleration appeared to correlate with vessel dilatability and poor erectile response, and was subjectively more discriminating than peak blood flow velocity. This parameter provides additional measurable data about arterial function and should be obtained in addition to the other 2 parameters.