Depression, anxiety, and neuropsychological performance in coronary artery bypass graft patients: A follow-up study

Background: Undergoing coronary-artery bypass surgery (CABG) remains a significant life-event, with an important psycho-emotional impact on patients and their families. Objective: The authors examined the incidence and course of depression and anxiety in CABG patients before and after surgery. Method: The 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. Results: Before 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. Conclusion: Data 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.