The Effect of Preoperative Anxiety on Postoperative Symptoms in Patients Without a History of Anxiety Scheduled for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Abstract

The aim of this study was to measure the level of preoperative anxiety in patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to assess the relationship between anxiety and postoperative symptoms. Materials and Methods. This descriptive study was conducted at a single university hospital from February to November 2021. Seventy-four CABG patients who completed the Anxiety Specific to Surgery Questionnaire, the Visual Analogue Scale, the Modified Borg Scale, the Rhodes Index of Nausea, Vomiting and Retching were included in the study. The data were analyzed by the mean, standard deviation, frequency distribution, Mann-Whitney U Test, and Spearman’s correlation analysis. Results. The average age of participants was 65.55 ± 8.35; 66.2% of them were males. The ASSQ total scores of female participants were significantly higher as compared to male participants (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant positive relationship between the levels of anxiety in patients before CABG and the levels of postoperative pain and dyspnea severity (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Patients were found to experience predominantly moderate to severe anxiety before CABG, and increased dyspnea complaints and pain in the postoperative period. A coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to preoperative training of healthcare professionals may offer a promising way to provide more efficient and productive services.