Management of anxiety and depression in post coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Depression and anxiety are common events in 30-40 percent of post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients. Depression symptoms in patients with CAD are expected to be significantly more, comparing the public incidence rate. Impaired remedy after coronary artery events may partly be attributed to depression and anxiety. If anxiety continues, it may lead to elevate metabolism and oxygen consuming. High level of anxiety increases the pain sensation in post CABG patients. This paper aimed to review results and findings of previous studies in the field of anxiety and depression management of post coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Up to 78 credited studies collected and compared in this review. Findings revealed that depression and anxiety could more complicate medical post CABG remedy. In addition, preoperative depression and anxiety symptoms would be persisted in post CABG recovery. Therefore, prior patients training about depression and anxiety symptoms would be wise strategy to help them describe their psychological mood before and after surgery. Findings also suggest that anxiety amplified depression prevalence in post CABG patients. Among the other methods, Benson relaxation is the best complementary medicine to mitigate pre-CABG anxiety. In addition, massage and music therapy could influence on post CABG anxiety and depression. There are also some robust evidences, indicating that perceived social support could influence post CABG anxiety and depression. Furthermore, sedative (such as propofol) and opioid and non-opioid analgesics, which used in post CABG pain management, could directly reduce anxiety level. Antidepressants sertraline and citalopram are the best studied post CABG pharmacological treatments which influence on post CABG remedy and hospitalization. The results suggest that treatment for anxiety is essential for alleviating patient suffering. In addition, anxiety treatment could protect patient against depression before and after CABG surgery.