Penile pharmacologic Doppler ultrasound is an important diagnostic tool for the etiological evaluation of erectile dysfunction. This study aimed to describe its findings in hypertensive patients followed at the Abidjan Heart Institute.

We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in the outpatient and functional exploration departments of the Abidjan Heart Institute from March 1st to June 30th, 2025. Hypertensive patients aged 18 years or older on regular follow-up were included. Erectile function was assessed using the five-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Patients with erectile dysfunction underwent pharmacologic penile Doppler ultrasound before and after intracavernosal prostaglandin injection. Data were entered with EpiData and analyzed using R software.

Among 210 hypertensive patients, 51 had erectile dysfunction, and 34 underwent penile Doppler ultrasound. The mean age was 61.21 ± 8.04 years. Mild erectile dysfunction was found in 58.8% of patients, and moderate and severe dysfunction in 20.6% each. After prostaglandin injection, complete rigidity was achieved in 35.3%, while 64.7% had an incomplete erectile response. Doppler ultrasound showed no vascular abnomality in 41.2% of patients. Findings suggestive of veno-occlusive dysfunction were the most frequent abnormality, observed in 55.9% of patients, whereas arterial insufficiency was found in 2.9%. No procedure-related complications were reported.

Pharmacologic penile Doppler ultrasound provided useful hemodynamic information in the evaluation of erectile dysfunction in hypertensive patients. Findings suggestive of veno-occlusive dysfunction were predominant in our series.