Psychosocial outcome after coronary artery surgery

Abstract

To describe psychosocial adaptation after coronary artery surgery and to identify preoperative factors associated with good outcome, 30 patients were interviewed before and 1-2 yr after surgery. Despite good physiologic outcome (as measured by treadmill and cardiac function) this sample was functioning poorly. Of the patients, 83% were unemployed and 57% were sexually impaired. A preoperative duration of symptoms of 8 mo. or more was associated with significantly worse postoperative overall adaptation. Most patients who had suffered angina 8 mo. or longer evidenced a damaged self-concept, which was reinforced rather than repaired by the experience of surgery.