Prediction of Quality of Life after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

OBJECTIVE: To review studies predicting psychosocial outcome after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). METHODS: Seventeen prospective studies, appearing in the MEDLINE and PsycLIT data bases between 1986 and 1996, were reviewed regarding objectives, methodological issues, results, and clinical relevance. RESULTS: All studies reported that psychological factors bad predictive value. In particular, preoperative anxiety and depression predicted postoperative psychological maladjustment; social support, preoperative feelings of control, denial, and optimism contributed to psychological adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Many specific psychological outcomes seem to be best predicted by preoperative assessment of functions in that specific area, especially in the case of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, personality factors including denial, optimism, control, and the need for support appear to be predictors of psychological outcome. Appropriate identification of predictive factors might improve the development of individually tailored interventions for patients at risk of postoperative psychological problems.