Psychological Responses to the Experience of Open Heart Surgery: I

In an effort to select criteria predictive of patient response to open heart surgery, 54 patients were interviewed preoperatively and followed postoperatively. They were separated into four groups on the basis of previous adjustment, anxiety regarding the operation, and orientation to the future. Postoperatively, the highest mortality occurred in group IV ("Depressed"). Morbidity was greatest in groups II ("Symbiotic") and III ("Anxious"), while most improvement, based on actual functioning in a role capacity, was noted in group I ("Adjusted"). Factors related to the care of these patients at the time of surgery are discussed.