Evaluation of penile vessels in heavy smokers using penile colour duplex

This work aimed to study functional state of penile blood vessels in heavy smokers who smoked more than 40 cigarettes per day for ten years. Fifty-three consented male patients were divided into three groups: Potent non-smokers, potent heavy smokers and impotent heavy smokers. All patients were neurologically and hormonally normal. By a physical examination after intracorporal injection of vasoactive substances, 75.75% of impotent heavy smokers showed no response, tumescence only or uncertain rigidity. There was a statistically significant difference in peak systolic velocity and cavernous artery dilation between potent non-smokers and impotent heavy smokers. Smoking may be considered as a risk factor for erectile dysfunction