The Experience of Cardiac Surgery

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Abstract
180 patients undergoing cardiac surgery were evaluated psychiatrically prior to surgery and followed afterwards for a period of up to 30 months. An analysis of the interview led to the identification of variables identifying four groups having prognostic value for long-term survival. Psychological tests, surgical, and demographic variables were found to be less helpful for predicting survival. A previous study by the investigators demonstrated that short-term survival was more a function of operative variables and related to the postoperative factor orientation. A second postoperative factor, dysphoria correlating with complications, predicted long-term mortality. These findings suggest the need for the psychological evaluation of patients both preoperatively and postoperatively, in order to identify emotional and defensive states that are associated with untoward results. Whether psychotherapeutic intervention in these states would alter prognosis requires further study.

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