Sildenafil increases cerebrovascular reactivity: a transcranial Doppler study

Neurology. 2005 Sep 27;65(6):919-21. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000173835.12308.bb. Epub 2005 Jul 28.

Abstract

The authors performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 28 patients to evaluate the effects of sildenafil on cerebral hemodynamics. A significant improvement of cerebrovascular reactivity, without any modification of other variables, was recorded 1 hour after the administration of 50 mg sildenafil. Further investigations are needed to evaluate whether cerebrovascular reactivity improvement could contribute to triggering sildenafil-induced migraine.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brain Ischemia / chemically induced
  • Brain Ischemia / physiopathology
  • Cerebral Arteries / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebral Arteries / drug effects*
  • Cerebral Arteries / physiology
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / drug effects*
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Migraine Disorders / chemically induced
  • Migraine Disorders / physiopathology
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Piperazines / administration & dosage
  • Piperazines / adverse effects*
  • Placebos
  • Purines
  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • Sulfones
  • Time Factors
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
  • Vasodilation / drug effects
  • Vasodilation / physiology

Substances

  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
  • Piperazines
  • Placebos
  • Purines
  • Sulfones
  • Sildenafil Citrate