PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION

Abstract

Fifty children between 4 and 15 years of age were subdivided into three age groups and studied before, during, and after cardiac catheterization. Nearly all of the youngest, but less than half of the oldest patients manifested negative behavioral and intrapsychic changes after catheterization. The behavior patterns of the youngest children were affected specifically in the domains of regression, aggression, affectivity, and attitude. The increase of general and somatic anxiety was equally distributed among older and younger children. Among boys the increase of aggression was typically expressed in physical modes, whereas girls more often responded by verbal aggression. Since children do not perceive cardiac catheterization as an innocuous procedure, and the catheterization experience may, in selected cases, interact with previously existing conditions to produce long-term adverse effect, intervention to protect very young cardiac patients may be advisable. Prophylactic play therapy could be utilized; or where medically feasible, cardiac catheterization could be postponed until later childhood.