Cardiac surgery for patients with schizophrenia: clinical experience of six patients

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Psychiatry
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Schizophrenia affects 0.7% of the population, with higher mortality rates than the general population.
• Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in patients with schizophrenia.
• There is a need for effective cardiovascular surgical strategies for schizophrenia patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and feasibility of cardiac surgery in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.
• To assess perioperative outcomes and long-term survival rates for this patient group.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study of six schizophrenia patients who underwent cardiac surgery between April 2008 and December 2019.
• Surgical procedures included coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), CABG with valve procedures, and myxoma resection.
• Data collected included patient demographics, surgical details, perioperative complications, and survival rates.

Main Results:

• The mean patient age was 63.6 years.
• No major cardiovascular or fatal complications occurred during the study period.
• The 30-day mortality rate was zero, with a 5-year survival rate of 83.3%.

Conclusions:

• Cardiac surgery is a viable option for carefully selected patients with schizophrenia.
• Close monitoring of indications and meticulous perioperative management are crucial for successful surgical outcomes.