Panic disorder and idiopathic cardiomyopathy

Objective: This study investigated whether, among a population of cardiac patients, there is a preferential association between idiopathic cardiomyopathy (CMP) and Panic Disorder (PD). Methods: A total of 93 patients with cardiac failure, 50 of them with CMP, 43 with other cardiac diseases, underwent a standard psychiatric examination using the MINI neuropsychiatric interview. Results: While half of the subjects met the criteria for a psychiatric disorder, PD was no more prevalent in the CMP group compared to other patients. Conclusion: This study confirms the high prevalence of psychiatric pathology, particularly anxiety, mood, and alcohol-related disorders, in patients with cardiac failure. However, previous findings on the specific association between CMP and PD could not be replicated. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.