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

Received September 21, 2006; revised January 22, 2007; accepted January 29, 2007. From the Laboratory for Neuropsychology, Dept. of Internal Medicine–Neurology, Ghent University; Ghent, Belgium. Send correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Nathalie Stroobant, University Hospital, Ghent, Laboratory for Neuropsychology, 4K3, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium. e-mail: Nathalie.Stroobant{at}UGent.be
© 2008 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine

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.

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