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Associations between phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and vascular function: a systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized-controlled trials

Yu-Cong Zhang, Hao Peng, Sheng Xin, Jiaquan Mao, Jun Zhang, Hao Li, Yang Luan, Xia-Ming Liu et al.

Systematic Reviews, 2025

3,242 participants · 2 citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (PDE5is) are used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and have potential cardioprotective effects. The impacts of PDE5is on cardiovascular parameters, which may be associated with the occurrence and progression of subclinical cardiovascular diseases, remain uncertain. In this study, we evaluated the effects of PDE5is on vascular parameters.

METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the effects of PDE5is and placebo on vascular parameters and were published from 1998 to 2022 were identified from PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. Mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to confirm the robustness of the pooled results. The keywords that were searched in the databases are as follows: ((systolic blood pressure) OR (SBP) OR (diastolic blood pressure) OR (DBP) OR (mean arterial pressure) OR (MAP) OR (Pulse Wave Velocity) OR (PWV) OR (intima-media thickness) OR (cIMT) OR (augmentation Index) OR (AI) OR (FMD) OR (flow-mediated dilation) OR (reactive hyperemia index) OR (RHI) OR (Endothelial microparticles) OR (EMP) OR (EPCs) OR (Endothelial Progenitor Cells) OR (PSV) OR (peak systolic velocity)) AND ((PDE5 Inhibitors) OR (PDE5i) OR (Sildenafil) OR (Vardenafil) OR (Tadalafil) OR (Lodenafil) OR (Udenafil) OR (Avanafil)).

RESULTS: Sixty-three studies involving 3242 subjects were included. Overall, PDE5is decreased systolic blood pressure (MD:…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 3,242 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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