Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder following myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass surgery

Abstract

Psychosocial adjustment, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, was assessed in a sample of 50 men 6–12 months after initial myocardial infarction (MI) or coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery. Mean scores on the adjustment measures indicated relatively low levels of distress for the entire group. However, a small number of patients reported clinically significant elevations in anxiety, depression, anger, and ruminative thinking. Using DSM-III-R criteria, four patients met the criteria for PTSD on a self-report checklist. Four patients met the criteria for major depressive disorder on the Inventory to Diagnose Depression. Overall, the findings suggest that posttraumatic stress disorder-like reactions may be an unrecognized problem for some men who sustain an MI or undergo CABG surgery. These traumatic reactions are highly correlated with emotional distress, including depression, generalized anxiety, and anger.