Enhanced pharmacological testing in patients with erectile dysfunction

This study was designed to evaluate the practical use of the combination of a low‐dose intracavemous injection test (ICI) and visual erotic stimulation (VES) in the assessment of patients with erectile dysfunction. Additionally, a postinvestigation questionnaire (PIQ) was used to rate the erection following the investigation when the patient had left the office. It was hypothesized that the combination (ICIVES) and the PIQ would yield a higher erectile response rate than ICI or VES alone and would minimize the occurrence of prolonged erection. Of the 90 patients studied, 17 (19%) showed adequate erections to VES, 10 (11%) to ICI, and 60 (67%) to ICIVES. Of the 30 non‐responders, 7 (23%) reported adequate erections on the PIQ. Overall, in 75% of the patients adequate erections were achieved. No prolonged erections were encountered. It is concluded that the combination of a low‐dose ICI and VES, and the application of a postinvestigation questionnaire, is a powerful and safe test to select patients for autoinjection therapy.