World's Largest Resource for Cardiovascular Perfusion

Perfusion StaffingPerfusion Staffing
   +1 888-499-5672Login
Perfusion NewswireMobile ZoneDepression Strongest Predictor of Chest Pain after Coronary Bypass Surgery

Depression Strongest Predictor of Chest Pain after Coronary Bypass Surgery

Mobile Zone, Perfusion Zone

BOSTON (Reuters Health) – Compared with other known cardiovascular factors, signs of depression 1 month after coronary bypass surgery are the best indicator of a recurrence of chest pain within 1 to 5 years, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Zanvyl Krieger Mind/Brain Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. The multicenter team presented these findings here at the 125th annual meeting of the American Neurological Association.

Dr. Guy M. McKhann of Johns Hopkins University and colleagues evaluated 172 patients prior to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and again 1-month, 1-year and 4-year intervals, using the Center for Epidemiological Study-Depression (CES-D) scale. Test scores range from 0 to 60, with a score above 16 indicating major depression. The average person scores between 5 and 6 on the CES-D, Dr. McKhann told Reuters Health.

Study findings showed that the odds of an individual reporting chest pain at 1- and 4-year

intervals more than doubled for every 10-point increase in the CES-D score. Patients who scored at least 10 points had a 2.2-fold increased risk of developing chest pain. Individuals scoring 20 on the scale had a 4.7-fold increase risk and those scoring 30 points had a 10.1-fold increased risk.

The patients who reported chest pain were also statistically more likely to be readmitted to the hospital, according to the study results.

“The problem of depression has been under-recognized,” Dr. McKhann said. “These individuals are depressed before they go to surgery. We are just identifying this fact.”

“We don’t know if we were to identify these individuals at 1 month post-operatively and treat them what the long-term effect on their outcome would be,” Dr. McKhann added. If these findings are confirmed, however, the investigators believe appropriate interventions should be explored.

-Westport Newsroom 203 319 2700

Leave a Reply

You may also like
Blood Management, ECMO Zone, Pediatric Zone, Perfusion Zone, Tiny Perfusion Letter

Anticoagulation and Transfusion Management During Neonatal and Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Survey of Medical Directors in the United States

Compared with the 2013 pediatric population, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation center anticoagulation and blood transfusion approaches continue to vary widely. Most report continued use of heparin as their primary anticoagulant and follow a combination of monitoring assays with the majority using the antifactor Xa assay in their practices, a significant shift from prior results. Antithrombin activity levels and viscoelastic tests are followed by a growing number of centers. Platelet transfusion thresholds continue to vary widely. Future research is needed to establish optimal anticoagulation and blood transfusion management.

Join TodayJoin Today