ATROPINE ROLE IN THE PHARMACOLOGICAL ERECTION TEST - STUDY OF 228 PATIENTS

Purpose: We determined the efficacy of atropine sulfate combined with papaverine hydrochloride, prostaglandin El and phentolamine mesylate i n the pharmacological erection test. Materials and Methods: A total of 230 consecutive patients with erectile dysfunction was randomized for pharmacological erection test and received an intracorporeal combinat ion of 50 mg. papaverine hydrochloride, 10 mu g. prostaglandin El, 0.2 mg. phentolamine mesylate and 0.075 mg, of atropine sulfate (group I) , or the same combination without atropine sulfate (group 2). Erectile response was evaluated subjectively and by intracorporeal pressure me asurement. Results: In group 1, 40 patients (35.1%) showed only tumesc ence, and 22 (19.3%) had poor erection, In group 2, 45 patients (39.5% ) had tumescence and 17 (14.9%) poor erection. In both groups 52 patie nts (45.6%) had rigid erection. There was no statistically significant difference regarding erectile response and intracorporeal pressure. C onclusions: The addition of atropine sulfate did not improve results o f the pharmacological erection test when combined with 50 mg, papverin e hydrochloride, 10 mu g., prostaglandin El, and 0.2 mg. phentolamine mesylate.