title: Treatment with β-blockers and incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder after cardiac surgery: a prospective observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to investigate perioperative factors associated with the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients who underwent cardiac surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single academic center.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty-eight consecutive patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were interviewed within the surgical unit 1 to 3 days before cardiac surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six months after surgery, participants were mailed the modified version of the Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Inventory 10. Of the 71 patients who completed the questionnaire and mailed it back at follow-up, 14 (19.7%) received a diagnosis of PTSD. Seven of 13 female patients who were not treated with β-blockers received a diagnosis of PTSD compared with 0 of 12 who were treated with β-blockers (p = 0.005, Fisher exact test). In a general linear model, including sex and β-blocker treatment as predictors, the Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Inventory 10 score was significantly predicted by β-blockade (F = 4.74, p = 0.033), with a significant interaction between sex and β-blockade (F = 9.72, p = 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that the use of β-blockers might be protective against the development of PTSD in women after cardiac surgery.
authors: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Lorenzo
authors: L
authors: Tarsitani
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: De Santis
authors: Martino
authors: M
authors: Mistretta
authors: Giovanna
authors: G
authors: Parmigiani
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Zampetti
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Roselli
authors: Domenico
authors: D
authors: Vitale
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Tritapepe
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Biondi
authors: Angelo
authors: A
authors: Picardi
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists