The association between cardiac resynchronization therapy response and sexual activity in patients with heart failure

Abstract

Background: Sexual activity is an important indicator of quality of life and is significantly impaired in patients with heart failure (HF). Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has positive effects on cardiac dysfunction and endothelial dysfunction that lead to erectile dysfunction (ED). We aimed to evaluate whether CRT may improve sexual activity in patients with HF. Methods: In total, 136 patients (mean age 61.8 ± 12.8 years) were evaluated for the study. All patients filled the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaire for evaluation of their erectile functions before CRT device implantation. One hundred eighty days after CRT device implantation, the patients were re-evaluated with SHIM questionnaire. Results: In the whole study population, SHIM test scores were significantly increased after CRT (12.99 ± 3.22 vs. 18.03 ± 5.00; p<0.001). The patients were divided into two groups according to the CRT response. The increase in SHIM test scores was significantly more in the response (+) group than in the response (−) group [response (+) group: 6.94 ± 3.36; p<0.001 vs. response (−) group: 0.81 ± 1.77; p = 0.465]. A positive CRT response was found to be an independent predictor of SHIM score (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our study showed that CRT had positive effects on ED of patients with HF.