Impotence responsive to glyceryl trinitrate

The author presents suggestive evidence that glyceryl trinitrate served to treat and diagnose atherosclerotic impotence in a man with psychogenic impotence. The prevalence of atherosclerotic impotence is not known but may be relatively high in older men. Vasodilators may be effective in diagnosing these patients, who do not have clear signs of arterial insufficiency of the lower extremities (e.g., Leriche's syndrome). The author postulates a pharmacological interaction between organic nitrates and imipramine.