Two-year follow-up study of coronary bypass surgery. Psychologic status, employment status, and quality of life.
This study is a prospective report of the cases of 135 patients who were slated for coronary artery bypass grafting and selected according to designated criteria. Patients received, in addition to an interview, a comprehensive cognitive, neuropsychologic, and personality assessment 2 weeks before operation and 3, 12, and 24 months after operation. Of the available sample, 82.3% completed the full study. There was no evidence of intellectual or neuropsychologic impairment after operation. Most patients returned to preoperative status 3 months after bypass grafting. Further improvement may continue 12 and 24 months after operation. The personality tests revealed that anticipation of the operation resulted in signs of emotional arousal and distress, which dissipated after a successful surgical outcome. Similarly, return to work and quality of life was enhanced. The current study represents the first systematic, longer-term follow-up of the psychologic and social consequences of coronary artery bypass grafting operations. The findings of this study are discussed within a model of social reconstitution after the successful resolution of a life-threatening medical condition.
Klonoff
H
H
Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Clark
C
C
Kavanagh-Gray
D
D
Mizgala
H
H
Munro
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D012907:Smoking; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology