The psychiatric aspects of cardiac intensive therapy: a review

The post cardiotomy state is typically delirious and although organic factors are important it is multi-determined. Cerebral ischaemia has been implicated in the development of psychological disorder after resuscitation but longer term neurotic disorders also occur. Affective disturbances, particularly depression, are associated with the coronary care experience. The following conditions are directly related to an increased incidence of psychological disorder: age, loss of sleep, sensory deprivation, stressful experiences, pre-operative morbidity (both physical and mental), the severity of both surgical trauma and the post-operative medical state. For both the staff who administer intensive therapy and the patient who receives it there are unique psychological hazards, the management of which depends largely on mutual understanding and support.