Pre-existing major depression predicts in-hospital cardiac complications after acute myocardial infarction.
BACKGROUND
Depression (MDD) and anxiety have been associated with negative long-term outcomes among patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI).


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to determine whether MDD and anxiety preceding MI were associated with in-hospital post-MI cardiac complications.


METHODS
Subjects (N=129) underwent psychiatric interviews within 72 hours of MI and were evaluated for five in-hospital cardiac complications (recurrent ischemia, ventricular arrhythmia, ventricular arrhythmia requiring intervention, congestive heart failure, and reinfarction).


RESULTS
Current (pre-MI) MDD was a significant and independent predictor of all complications except recurrent ischemia on multivariate regression analysis. In contrast, pre-MI anxiety was not associated with complications.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings underscore the importance of identifying and treating MDD in post-MI patients and those at risk for MI.
Huffman
Jeff C
JC
Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street/Warren 1220C, Boston, MA 02114, USA. jhuffman@partners.org
Smith
Felicia A
FA
Blais
Mark A
MA
Taylor
Amy M
AM
Januzzi
James L
JL
Fricchione
Gregory L
GL
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence