[Comparative assessment of cardiac and psychologic results of aortocoronary bypass]

Two categories of criteria are used to evaluate the cardiological and psychological results of aortocoronary bypass (ACB): objective criteria, which support the clinician's judgement, and subjective criteria, which contribute to the patient's comfort. Numerous studies have revealed major discrepancies between these two modes of evaluation. A prospective study was undertaken to compare the cardiological and psychological results of ACB at 1 year. The study was based on 24 parameters collected in an ordinary cardiology consultation and from an open discussion between the patient and his (or her) partner and a psychiatrist. In the first phase of the study the results observed in 51 patients were classified as "good" in 40 and "poor" in 11 by the cardiologist, as against "good" in 32 and "poor" in 19 by the psychiatrist. The psychiatrist's assessment differed from that of the cardiologist on 22 patients, being better in 7 and not as good in 15. The second phase of the study has been devised to validate the results obtained in the first phase and to evaluate the contribution of ergonometric test to the cardiological classification of 37 new patients. This study makes it possible to analyze the reasons for the difference in assessment of the cardiological and psychological benefits of ACB, and to develop a method for measuring the impact on these results of new therapeutic measures, such as rehabilitation.