Depression, Anxiety, and Neuropsychological Performance in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patients: A Follow-Up Study

BackgroundUndergoing coronary-artery bypass surgery (CABG) remains a significant life-event, with an important psycho-emotional impact on patients and their families.ObjectiveThe authors examined the incidence and course of depression and anxiety in CABG patients before and after surgery.MethodThe long-term relationship between mood disorders and neuropsychological deficits was studied 1 day before and 6 days (N = 53), 6 months (N = 37), and 3–5 years (N = 43) after the procedure.ResultsBefore surgery, one-third of the patients showed mild-to-moderate cognitive-affective symptoms of depression. After surgery, one-fourth still showed elevated depression scores, whereas anxiety was significantly decreased at all post-operative time-points. Patients with higher pre-operative symptoms of depression showed sustained feelings of depression after surgery. Visuomotor performance was most affected by mood.ConclusionData indicated that patients with preoperative moderate cognitive-affective depression could be at risk for sustained feelings of depression even up to 5 years after surgery.