From Ion Channels comes a new approach for treating Erectile Dysfunction. Currently, anyone taking nitrates for chest pain is not a candidate for any of the PDE5 inhibitors such as Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis. Taking the two in combination can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure leading to coma and possibly death.

As many of us on Plavix know, any surgery can be risky and many surgeons require Plavix to be discontinued for up to 7 days prior to the scheduled procedure. This can lead to in-stent thrombosis, late stage in-stent thrombosis, and more. For more details visit here.

Many cardiologists are now requiring patients with drug-eluting stents to be on a combination therapy of Plavix and Aspirin for at least a year, and some are advocating lifetime combination therapy. Stopping Plavix too soon can lead to in-stent restenosis and your cardiologist should always be consulted prior to stopping either Plavix or Aspirin. What this means for those suffering from ED is that one approach – the implantation of a prosthetic device, can be risky. So what is a heart patient suffering from ED to do?

Ion channel is working on a solution. From their website:

Ion Channel’s report of the phase I trials results for gene transfer for the indication of erectile dysfunction was print published in Human Gene Therapy.

December 21, 2006
Ion Channel’s report of the phase I trials results for gene transfer for the indication of erectile dysfunction was print published in Human Gene Therapy. The article was accepted in November and rapidly published the next month and is the first paper in the issue (that has figure 7) of the paper on the front cover of the journal. The paper is preceded by two editorials each highly complementary of the paper…

Also, from Science Daily:

ScienceDaily (Dec. 4, 2006) — The first human trial of gene transfer therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED) indicates that gene therapy that lasts for months and eliminates the patient’s need for on-demand drugs (such as Viagra and Cialis), could become the future treatment of choice for this common problem, according to a paper in the most recent issue of Human Gene Therapy.

From Medical News Today

Maxi-K gene therapy may be a safe and effective future option for men whose erectile dysfunction (ED) is not treatable with oral therapy. Two studies presented at the 103rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) may give hope to these individuals. Researchers present their findings to reporters in a special press conference on May 20, 2008 at 10 a.m.

Maxi-K therapy is a unique, locally administrated gene-transfer technology to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). The safety and the restorative effects of the treatment have been shown by data from participants in a phase I trial. In some men, the effect lasted up to six months. The gene therapy appears safe as no transfer-related adverse events were reported more than two years after the transfer in some subjects. Unlike conventional oral therapies for men with ED, Maxi-K therapy does not require prior planning, fosters sexual spontaneity and can be used by men taking heart medication.

Researchers not only provided follow-up to previous studies on Maxi-K therapy in men, but also explored whether increased erectile function enhanced other areas of sexual behavior. Male cynomulgus monkeys with ED were observed during their injection period and while in the presence of estrogen-implanted females. Researchers observed and measured the monkeys’ number of ejaculations, time to ejaculation, number of mounts, time to first mount, number of thrusts, number of sexual invitations by the female and number of erections achieved. Researchers observed dramatic changes after gene transfer, including increases in the number of partial and full erections and a two-fold increase in erection duration. An increase in intimacy was also seen. The data imply that increased erectile function per se may lead to increased sexual function.

Also, recent studies indicate that Erectile Dysfunction is often a precursor of heart trouble to come or an indicator of existing heart trouble. If you are experiencing ED, I would recommend a thourough checkup by your cardiologist to rule out any heart related issues.