Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Enhances Survival in Cardiac Patients Aged Under 60: 14-YEAR OUTCOMES OF THE BEATING HEART PROBLEMS PROGRAM TRIAL.

PURPOSE: To optimize recovery and improve prognosis, people who have had an acute cardiac event (ACE) need support to manage their cardiac risk. In 2008, we conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Beating Heart Problems (BHP) , an 8-wk group program based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI), designed to improve behavioral and mental health. This study investigated 14-yr mortality status for RCT participants in order to evaluate the survival impact of the BHP program. METHODS: In 2021, mortality data on 275 participants from the earlier RCT were obtained from the Australian National Death Index. Survival analysis was undertaken to investigate differences in survival for participants in the treatment and control groups. RESULTS: Over the 14-yr follow-up period, there were 52 deaths (18.9%). For those aged <60 yr, there was a significant survival benefit to program participation, with 3% deaths in the treatment group and 13% deaths in the control group ( P = .022). For those aged ≥60 yr, the death rate was identical in both groups (30%). Other significant predictors of mortality included older age, higher 2-yr risk score, lower functional capacity, lower self-rated health, and having no private health insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in the BHP conferred a survival benefit for patients aged <60 yr but not for participants overall. The findings highlight the long-term benefit of behavioral and psychosocial management of cardiac risk through CBT and MI for those who are younger at the time of their first ACE.

Identifying illness perception schemata and their association with depression and quality of life in cardiac patients.

The purpose of this paper is to identify groups of cardiac patients who share similar perceptions about their illness and to examine the relationships between these schemata and psychosocial outcomes such as quality of life and depression. A total of 190 cardiac patients with diagnoses of myocardial infarction, stable angina pectoris or chronic heart failure, completed a battery of psychosocial questionnaires within four weeks of their admission to hospital. These included the Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire (BIPQ), Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI II) and The MacNew Health-related Quality of Life instrument (MacNew). BIPQ items were subjected to latent class analysis (LCA) and the resulting groups were compared according to their BDI II and MacNew scores. LCA identified a five-class model of illness perception which comprised the following: (1) Consequence focused and mild emotional impact, n = 55, 29%; (2) Low illness perceptions and low emotional impact, n = 45, 24%; (3) Control focused and mild emotional impact, n = 10, 5%; (4) Consequence focused and high emotional impact, n = 60, 32%; and (5) Consequence focused and severe emotional impact, n = 20, 10%. Gender and diagnosis did not appear to reflect class membership except that class 2 had a significantly higher proportion of AMI patients than did class 5. There were numerous significant differences between classes in regards to depression and health-related quality of life. Notably, classes 4 and 5 are distinguished by relatively high BDI II scores and low MacNew scores. Identifying classes of cardiac patients based on their illness perception schemata, in hospital or shortly afterwards, may identify those at risk of developing depressive symptoms and poor quality of life.

Lifestyle and physiological risk factor profiles six weeks after an acute cardiac event: are patients achieving recommended targets for secondary prevention?

BACKGROUND: People who have had a cardiac event are at increased risk of a subsequent event and death and are, therefore, the priority for preventive cardiology in Australia and elsewhere. Guidelines for physiological and lifestyle risk factors have been developed to encourage risk reduction as a means of secondary prevention. The aim of the present study was to investigate achievement of recommended risk factor targets in a sample of Australian cardiac patients. METHOD: A consecutive sample of 275 patients admitted to one of two Melbourne hospitals after acute myocardial infarction (AMI; 32%) or for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS; 40%) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; 28%) participated in risk factor screening approximately five weeks after hospital discharge. The 2007 National Heart Foundation (NHF) of Australia 'Guidelines for Reducing Risk in Heart Disease' (1) and the 2001 NHF and Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand lipid management guidelines (2) were used to define risk factor targets. Target achievement was compared for AMI, CABGS and PCI patients. RESULTS: Patients ranged in age from 32 to 75 years (mean=59.0; SD=9.1). Most (86%) were male. Almost three quarters of the patients were above recommended targets for waist girth (70%) and almost half were above targets for blood pressure (48%) and below target for high density lipoprotein cholesterol (47%). Around a quarter were over target for total cholesterol (27%) and under target for physical activity (27%). Most patients met the NHF guidelines of non-smoking (95%) and restricted alcohol consumption (88%). For several risk factors, PCI patients were at greater risk of not achieving recommended targets than either CABGS or AMI patients. CONCLUSIONS: Six weeks after an acute cardiac event, substantial proportions of Australian patients do not achieve recommended targets for waist girth, blood pressure, total cholesterol, physical activity, and HDL cholesterol. PCI patients are particularly at risk. Considerable potential remains for improving risk factor management in CHD patients, highlighting the important role of general practitioners, outpatient cardiac rehabilitation and other secondary prevention strategies.

Trajectories and predictors of anxiety and depression in women during the 12 months following an acute cardiac event.

OBJECTIVES: Many previous investigations of the recovery of emotional well-being, particularly the resolution of depression, following an acute cardiac event assume that all patients follow a similar, linear trajectory. However, it is possible that there are different groups of patients who follow different trajectories. This study tested for multiple trajectories of anxiety and depression and identified the characteristics of patients most at risk for persistent or worsening anxiety and depression in the 12 months following their cardiac event. METHOD: A consecutive sample of 226 women was interviewed following either acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were administered on four occasions over 12 months. Growth curve and growth mixture modelling were used to identify trajectories of change and univariate tests were employed to establish predictors of each trajectory. RESULTS: Most women began with relatively low levels of anxiety and/or depression that improved over the 12 month period (84% women showed this trajectory for anxiety, 89% for depression). A smaller group began with relatively high levels of anxiety and/or depression that worsened over time (16% for anxiety, 11% for depression). Patients in the latter group were more likely to report high levels of loneliness, have a first language other than English, perceive their cardiac disease as more severe (anxiety group only) and have diabetes (depression group only). Trajectories were non-linear, with most change occurring in the initial 2-month period. CONCLUSION: Growth modelling techniques highlight that change in anxiety and depression following an acute event follows neither a single nor linear trajectory. Most women showed early resolution of anxiety and depression following their event, indicative of a normal bereavement or adjustment response. A minority of women reported worsening anxiety and/or depression in the year following their cardiac event, particularly those who lacked social support or were from non-English speaking backgrounds. Intervention studies to explore support options for these women are warranted, both prior to and following their event.

Health related quality of life trajectories and predictors following coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have demonstrated that health related quality of life (HRQoL) improves, on average, after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS). However, this average improvement may not be realized for all patients, and it is possible that there are two or more distinctive groups with different, possibly non-linear, trajectories of change over time. Furthermore, little is known about the predictors that are associated with these possible HRQoL trajectories after CABGS. METHODS: 182 patients listed for elective CABGS at The Royal Melbourne Hospital completed a postal battery of questionnaires which included the Short-Form-36 (SF-36), Profile of Mood States (POMS) and the Everyday Functioning Questionnaire (EFQ). These data were collected on average a month before surgery, and at two months and six months after surgery. Socio-demographic and medical characteristics prior to surgery, as well as surgical and post-surgical complications and symptoms were also assessed. Growth curve and growth mixture modelling were used to identify trajectories of HRQoL. RESULTS: For both the physical component summary scale (PCS) and the mental component summary scale (MCS) of the SF-36, two groups of patients with distinct trajectories of HRQoL following surgery could be identified (improvers and non-improvers). A series of logistic regression analyses identified different predictors of group membership for PCS and MCS trajectories. For the PCS the most significant predictors of non-improver membership were lower scores on POMS vigor-activity and higher New York Heart Association dyspnoea class; for the MCS the most significant predictors of non-improver membership were higher scores on POMS depression-dejection and manual occupation. CONCLUSION: It is incorrect to assume that HRQoL will improve in a linear fashion for all patients following CABGS. Nor was there support for a single response trajectory. It is important to identify characteristics of each patient, and those post-operative symptoms that could be possible targets for intervention to improve HRQoL outcomes.

Determinants of Physical Activity Guideline Attainment in Australian Cardiac Patients: A 12-Month Study.

PURPOSE: Little is known about the type and intensity of physical activity (PA) reported by cardiac patients during the first year after hospitalization and whether patients are meeting recommended PA guidelines. In addition, the achievement of PA guideline over the course of recovery is largely unknown. METHODS: A total of 136 patients consecutively admitted to 2 Australian hospitals after acute myocardial infarction (31%), or to undergo bypass surgery (29%) or percutaneous coronary intervention (40%), were interviewed at 6 weeks and at 4 and 12 months after admission. Physical activity at each time point was assessed by the Active Australia PA Survey. Medical and sociodemographic data, self-reported anxiety and depression, and cardiac rehabilitation attendance status were also recorded. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of PA guideline attainment at each of the 3 time points. RESULTS: At all 3 time points, walking was regularly performed by more than 95% of patients, while moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA reached only 40% and 59% participation by 12 months, respectively. Significant predictors of PA guideline attainment at 6 weeks posthospitalization were physical functioning, depression, and mode of PA. As hypothesized, different predictors were found at 4 months (living arrangements, PA mode, and attainment of 6-week PA guidelines) and 12 months (living arrangements, socioeconomic resources, PA mode, and attainment of 6-week PA guidelines). CONCLUSIONS: The study highlighted the potential importance of modifying walking behavior in cardiac patients to achieve PA guidelines and the dynamic nature of variables influencing PA at various stages of recovery.

An integrated secondary prevention group programme reduces depression in cardiac patients.

OBJECTIVE: Depression is common following an acute cardiac event and can occur at a time when behaviour change is strongly recommended to reduce the risk of further cardiovascular events. The 'Beating Heart Problems' programme was designed to support cardiac patients in behaviour change and mood management. METHODS: The programme was based on cognitive behaviour therapy and motivational interviewing. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing the 8-week group programme with usual care was undertaken between 2007 and 2010. All patients attended a hospital-based clinic for assessment of physiological risk factors at baseline (6 weeks after their acute event), and at 4- and 12-month follow up. Psychological and behavioural indicators were assessed by self-report questionnaires. Of the 275 patients enrolled into the RCT, 42 (15%) had Beck Depression Inventory-II scores >13 at baseline. Treatment and control group comparisons were undertaken for this subgroup, using growth curve modelling and testing for group differences over time in psychological, physiological, health behaviour, and self-efficacy measures. RESULTS: Significantly greater improvements (p < 0.01) in depression symptoms and self-rated health were reported for the intervention group, as well as significantly larger gains in confidence in managing depression (p < 0.05) and anger (p < 0.01). Trends (0.05 < p < 0.10) for larger treatment group improvements were also seen for anxiety symptoms and confidence in managing anxiety. CONCLUSION: A group secondary-prevention programme that integrates behavioural and mood management strategies leads to decreased depression, increased confidence, and improved health perceptions in depressed cardiac patients.

Physical inactivity at leisure and work: a 12-month study of cardiac patients.

PURPOSE: Physical inactivity has been identified as a distinct health risk. However, little is known about how this can vary at leisure and work in cardiac patients. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and predictors of inactivity during leisure and work in the 12 months following a cardiac event in Australian cardiac patients. METHODS: A total of 346 patients consecutively admitted to hospital with acute coronary syndrome or to undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery were interviewed in hospital, and 4 and 12 months later. Leisure and occupational physical activity was measured using the Stanford Brief Activity Survey. Sociodemographic, psychosocial, and clinical data were also collected. RESULTS: The prevalence of leisure-time physical inactivity declined over time, with 52% inactive preevent and 29% inactive at 12 months. Approximately 50% of participants were physically inactive in their work, regardless of whether this was measured before or after the cardiac event. Logistic regression revealed that the significant predictors of leisure-time physical inactivity at 12 months were non-home ownership (OR = 2.19; P = .007) and physical inactivity in leisure-time prior to the event (OR = 2.44; P = .001). The significant predictors of occupational physical inactivity at 12 months were white-collar occupation (OR = 3.10; P < .001) and physical inactivity at work prior to the event (OR = 12.99; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Preevent physical inactivity, socioeconomic, and clinical factors predicted both leisure and work inactivity after an acute cardiac event. Effective interventions could be designed and implemented to target those most at risk of being physically inactive at work or leisure.

Reduction in 2-year recurrent risk score and improved behavioral outcomes after participation in the "Beating Heart Problems" self-management program: results of a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: While behavior change can improve risk factor profiles and prognosis after an acute cardiac event, patients need assistance to achieve sustained lifestyle changes. We developed the "Beating Heart Problems" cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing program to support patients to develop behavioral and cognitive self-management skills. We report the results of a randomized controlled trial of the program. METHODS: Patients (n = 275) consecutively admitted to 2 Melbourne hospitals after acute myocardial infarction (32%), coronary artery bypass graft surgery (40%), or percutaneous coronary intervention (28%) were randomized to treatment (T; n = 139) or control (C; n = 136). T group patients were invited to participate in the 8-week group-based program. Patients underwent risk factor screening 6 weeks after hospital discharge (before randomization) and again 4 and 12 months later. At both the followups, T and C groups were compared on 2-year risk of a recurrent cardiac event and key behavioral outcomes, using both intention-to-treat and "completers only" analyses. RESULTS: Patients ranged in age from 32 to 75 years (mean = 59.0 years; SD - 9.1 years). Most patients (86%) were men. Compared with the C group patients, T group patients tended toward greater reduction in 2-year risk, at both the 4- and 12-month followups. Significant benefits in dietary fat intake and functional capacity were also evident. CONCLUSIONS: The "Beating Heart Problems" program showed modest but important benefit over usual care at 4 and, to a lesser extent, 12 months. Modifications to the program such as the inclusion of booster sessions and translation to online delivery are likely to improve outcomes.

Changes in mood states after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Few studies have investigated the change in mood states, such as anger, fatigue and confusion, after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS). The aim of this study was to describe the progression of these mood states over time and to determine the factors associated with these trajectories. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) was administered to 182 CABGS patients prior to surgery and at two and six months post-operatively. Socio-demographic and medical data were collected before surgery. Growth curve modelling was used to describe the POMS subscale trajectories. Four POMS subscales (tension-anxiety, fatigue-inertia, confusion-bewilderment, and vigour-activity) showed rapid improvement over the first two months after CABGS followed by a lesser improvement. There was no significant change over time for the depression-dejection and anger-hostility subscales. Being younger, male, having a manual occupation, and smoking were factors associated with poorer pre-operative mood states. Those at risk of persistent mood disturbance after CABGS were younger, unpartnered, female and those with diabetes. These patients can be identified prior to hospital admission.

Everyday cognitive functioning in cardiac patients: relationships between self-report, report of a significant other and cognitive test performance.

Candidates for cardiac bypass surgery often experience cognitive decline. Such decline is likely to affect their everyday cognitive functioning. The aim of the present study was to compare cardiac patients' ratings of their everyday cognitive functioning against significant others' ratings and selected neuropsychological tests. Sixty-nine patients completed a battery of standardised cognitive tests. Patients and significant others also completed the Everyday Function Questionnaire independently of each other. Patient and significant other ratings of patients' everyday cognitive difficulties were found to be similar. Despite the similarities in ratings of difficulties, some everyday cognitive tasks were attributed to different processes. Patients' and significant others' ratings were most closely associated with the neuropsychological test of visual memory. Tests of the patients' verbal memory and fluency were only related to significant others' ratings. Test scores of attention and planning were largely unrelated to ratings by either patients or their significant others.

An evaluation of self-report physical activity instruments used in studies involving cardiac patients.

PURPOSE: Given the importance of physical activity (PA) in cardiac rehabilitation and prevention, measuring it in a valid and reliable manner is a practical challenge. Measuring self-reported PA in elderly cardiac patients can be problematic because of the need to assess many activities of short duration that may occur as part of routine daily functions. The primary purpose of this article was to identify and evaluate instruments that have been used over the last 15 years in studies of cardiac patients. METHODS: A comprehensive MEDLINE search was carried out to identify articles from studies undertaken to assess PA in cardiac patients. The self-report PA instruments were subjected to evaluation concerning suitability for use with cardiac patients. RESULTS: The initial electronic and hand searches yielded 203 articles. After removing articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria, a total of 86 articles were selected. Twenty-three self-report instruments were identified for evaluation. Most of the instruments had problems associated with inadequate validation methods or suitability for cardiac patients. Many of the instruments failed to demonstrate adequate validity or reliability, particularly when measuring low-intensity PA. CONCLUSIONS: Some instruments are more suited to epidemiologic research than to clinical interventions where responsiveness to interventions is crucial. Recommendations for the constituents of an acceptable self-report PA instrument for cardiac patients are presented and the most suitable existing instruments are identified.

Cardiac rehabilitation program attendance after coronary artery bypass surgery: overcoming the barriers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate rates and predictors of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) attendance after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS) at Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), Victoria, where current best practice referral and recruitment strategies have been adopted. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective cohort study of 184 patients who underwent CABGS at RMH between July 2001 and April 2004. Patients completed questionnaires pre-operatively, and 170 patients (92%) had their CR attendance tracked after referral to CR either at RMH or elsewhere. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of CR attendance among RMH patients referred to CR either at RMH or elsewhere; sociodemographic, medical, cognitive, psychosocial and geographical predictors of CR non-attendance. RESULTS: The CR attendance rate was 72%. Patients referred to CR at RMH were more than four times more likely to attend than patients referred elsewhere (odds ratio [OR], 4.36; P=0.024). Travel time significantly predicted CR attendance (OR, 0.86; P=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: CR attendance rates were found to be higher than previously reported for CABGS patients, suggesting that best practice referral and recruitment procedures minimise common barriers to CR attendance.

Anxiety and depression after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: most get better, some get worse.

BACKGROUND: To target interventions, patients at risk for poor outcomes after a cardiac event need to be identified. We investigated trajectories of anxiety and depression after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS) and identified patients at risk of persistent or worsening anxiety and depression. METHODS: A consecutive sample of 184 patients on the waiting list for CABGS at The Royal Melbourne Hospital completed self-report questionnaires before surgery, and at 2 and 6 months postsurgery. Anxiety and depression were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Growth mixture modelling identified trajectories of anxiety and depression. RESULTS: Two possible trajectories emerged for anxiety, whereas three trajectories emerged for depression. Most patients (92%) followed a trajectory of minor presurgical anxiety that remitted in 6 months after CABGS, with the remainder (8%) following a trajectory of major anxiety that remitted in the same period. Minor remitted depression was also common (72% patients). Two less common depression trajectories indicated worsening or unresolved depression. One trajectory began with major presurgical depression that partially remitted by 6 months (14% patients) and the other began with minor presurgical depression that worsened by 6 months (14% patients). Unpartnered patients, smokers, those with presurgical anxiety, high cholesterol, angina, more severe disease or having repeat CABGS were at increased risk for a poor depression trajectory. CONCLUSION: Although initial anxiety and depression resolved or lessened for most patients, some patients experienced persistent or worsening depression after CABGS. Interventions can be targeted toward 'at risk' patients.

Living alone predicts 30-day hospital readmission after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Earlier studies show that medical factors and disease severity predict early readmission to hospital after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS). Few studies have investigated psychosocial predictors. This study investigated medical, sociodemographic and psychosocial predictors of 30-day hospital readmission. METHODS: A consecutive sample of 181 patients wait-listed for CABGS completed self-report questionnaires before surgery, and at 2 and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Twenty-six (14.4%) patients were readmitted within 30 days of hospital discharge. Readmitted patients were older (t=2.12, df=179, P=0.035), and more likely to be unmarried (chi=5.80, df=1, P=0.016), live alone (chi=8.33, df=1, P=0.004), have a history of hypertension (chi=2.731, df=1, P=0.098) and have higher anxiety before surgery (t=1.67, df=175, P=0.097). When these variables were entered into a backward stepwise logistic regression, the only significant unique predictor of 30-day readmission was living alone (Wald=7.08, odds ratio=3.42, P=0.008). Patients living alone were over three times more likely than those living with others to be readmitted to hospital. Disease severity and other medical factors were not associated with readmission. CONCLUSION: Living alone was identified as the single most important risk factor for early readmission after CABGS. Patients who live alone may benefit from additional support during early convalescence. Intervention studies could explore support options for these patients.

Emotional and adjustment issues faced by cardiac patients seen in clinical practice: a qualitative survey of experienced clinicians.

PURPOSE: Many cardiac patients experience psychological difficulties after a cardiac event including anxiety, depressed mood, adjustment difficulties, and feelings of grief and loss. There is a vast literature on the psychological adjustment of cardiac patients including reports by individual practitioners into the emotional difficulties of these patients. However, no previous study has surveyed therapists collectively about their experiences working with cardiac patients. In this study, clinical practitioners were surveyed to identify specific emotional issues faced by cardiac patients and to explore potential relationships between these issues. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 psychologists and cardiac social workers who had extensive experiences with cardiac patients. Responses were collated by means of a qualitative thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants described the interrelationships of anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and denial that were observed in cardiac patients. Participants also identified trauma, guilt, and anger as issues of concern. CONCLUSIONS: The findings supply a richness of detail that is often absent in quantitative studies. This detail may give cardiac rehabilitation professionals additional insight into the complexity of patients' emotional reactions and the interrelationships of these reactions. The results highlight the importance of the identification and referral of patients who present with more than transient emotional difficulties.

Recall of information received in hospital by female cardiac patients.

BACKGROUND: The type and source of health information supplied to patients following cardiac events significantly improve adherence and health behaviours. The impact of health information upon female patients, however, is not well documented. This study investigates women's recall of the type and source of information provided to them in hospital about resuming daily activities after a cardiac event. It also identified women least likely to recall receiving information. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with female cardiac patients consecutively admitted to four metropolitan hospitals after acute myocardial infarction or for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The women were interviewed on admission and at 2, 4 and 12 months after discharge. Participants were asked about in-hospital information provision at the 2-month interview (n=224). RESULTS: Most women recalled receiving verbal information about medication, exercise and smoking cessation, but few recalled receiving verbal information about gardening, sexual activity, driving or sport. Women who were obese or physically inactive recalled limited advice about diet and physical activity, whereas women with diabetes or hypertension were no more likely than others to recall receiving information about medication, despite the personal relevance of this information. Older women were most at risk of recalling limited advice, including information about cardiac rehabilitation. Over half of the women attended a cardiac rehabilitation programme, with uptake being related to information provision. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support other research suggesting that advice about activities after a cardiac event is inadequate for some women and confirms the influence of information provision on participation in cardiac rehabilitation.

Predictors of cognitive function in candidates for coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Candidates for coronary artery bypass graft surgery have been found to exhibit reduced cognitive function prior to surgery. However, little is known regarding the factors that are associated with pre-bypass cognitive function. A battery of neuropsychological tests was administered to a group of patients listed for bypass surgery (n = 109). Medical, sociodemographic and emotional predictors of cognitive function were investigated using structural equation modeling. Medical factors, namely history of hypertension and low ejection fraction, significantly predicted reduced cognitive function, as did several sociodemographic characteristics, namely older age, less education, non-English speaking background, manual occupation, and male gender. One emotional variable, confusion and bewilderment, was also a significant predictor whereas anxiety and depression were not. When significant predictors from the three sets of variables were included in a combined model, three of the five sociodemographic characteristics, namely age, non-English speaking background and occupation, and the two medical factors remained significant. Apart from sociodemographic characteristics, medical factors such as a history of hypertension and low ejection fraction significantly predicted reduced cognitive function in bypass candidates prior to surgery.

Cognitive function in candidates for coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: While many studies have investigated cognitive impairments in patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, very few have closely evaluated presurgical cognitive functioning of bypass candidates. METHODS: A battery of neuropsychologic tests was administered to a consecutive series of patients listed for bypass surgery (n = 109). Cognitive function of bypass candidates was compared with that of a healthy control group (n = 25) and published test norms. RESULTS: Cognitive test scores in candidates for bypass were significantly lower than those of the control group on tests of attention, information processing speed, and verbal memory. Additionally, bypass candidates' cognitive test scores were significantly reduced compared with expected values derived from validated test norms, on all but one cognitive test. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive performances of candidates for bypass were significantly lower than those of a healthy control group and published cognitive test norms.

Physical activity and negative emotional response after percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to investigate the association between negative emotional response (NER) and physical activity levels in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients, and to examine the extent to which physical activity levels were influenced by factors such as the patients' age, sex, and attendance at a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programme. METHODS: A consecutive series of 200 PCI patients [mean age 59.0 (+/-10.1) years] completed telephone interviews 2 weeks and 6 months after their procedure. NER was assessed using 12 items addressing patients' perceptions and concerns regarding symptoms, diagnosis and prognosis. Physical activity was assessed by asking four questions relating to the frequency and duration of walking and of moderate activity. CR attendance, medical history and sociodemographic data were also collected. Hierarchical linear regression was used to assess the association between NER and physical activity over time. RESULTS: After controlling for baseline levels of moderate activity and other covariates, NER significantly predicted change in moderate activity over 6 months. Only baseline walking levels predicted the duration and frequency of walking at 6 months. CONCLUSION: NER can be considered an inhibitive factor towards increased moderate activity uptake after PCI. Walking after PCI does not appear to be affected by NER. These findings highlight the need to focus on improving the emotional aspects of patients' recovery.