Psychosocial outcome after coronary artery by-pass surgery

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) significantly impacts patients' quality of life.
• Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is a common intervention for severe CAD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the psychiatric outcomes and return-to-work status following CABG surgery.
• To identify factors influencing patient recovery after CABG.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 36 patients with obstructive CAD were interviewed before CABG surgery.
• Follow-up interviews were conducted at a mean of 12.3 months post-surgery for 34 patients.
• Data collected included symptom relief, mental state, social adjustment, neuroticism, Type A personality, psychiatric history, and employment status.

Main Results:

• CABG surgery successfully relieved chest pain in 31 patients (86%).
• Psychiatric outcomes were significantly associated with preoperative mental state, social maladjustment, neuroticism, Bortner Type A score, and prior psychiatric history.
• One quarter of employed patients did not return to work despite symptom improvement.

Conclusions:

• While CABG surgery effectively alleviates chest pain in obstructive CAD, preoperative psychological factors are critical determinants of psychiatric outcome and vocational rehabilitation.
• Pre-operative physical variables did not correlate with psychiatric morbidity or employment status at follow-up.