Postoperative depression in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) – a review of the literature

Abstract

<b>Introduction:</b> Ischemic heart disease is the most common cause of death in the world. The lives of patients with vascular defects can be saved by coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, it is associated with an increased risk of developing depression after surgery. <br><b>Meterial and Methods:</b> The aim of the study is to present the results of the latest research on postoperative depression after CABG, including studies describing the course of the disease, its consequences for the patient’s prognosis and treatment. The publications available on the PubMed platform published after 2011 were reviewed. <br><b>Results:</b> Depression before and after CABG affects 30–40% of patients, mostly women. Established after surgery and untreated, it persists for many years. The level of anxiety in patients decreases systematically after surgery. Indicators that may correlate with the patient’s postoperative depression, including cortisol, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and oxidative stress biomarkers, are being investigated. The occurrence of depression in patients after CABG has a number of negative consequences. Those include: weaker response to treatment, greater chance of relapse, and increased readmission frequency and mortality. Treatment of patients with this disorder involves the use of antidepressants (most often SSRIs – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and/or various types of psychotherapy with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) at the forefront. <br><b>Conclusions:</b> Depression following CABG decreases the quality of life and worsens patient prognosis. It is necessary to detect this condition early after surgery and to apply treatment, taking into account the cardiological disorders of the patient.