assessing the incidence, severity and course of self-reported depression and anxiety of CABG patients in long-term follow-up.

53 patients were examined before coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 7-10 days and 3 months after CABG. The follow-up response rate after 6 years (T4) was 83%, 37 were assessed and 7 patients died. Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used.

Patients who died between T3 and T4 had significantly more postoperative complications, lower physical and mental well-being after operation and the higher BDI somatic subscale scores than those, who were assessed at T4.

Most of patients without depressive symptoms before operation did not have those afterwards. Mean BDI affective subscale scores were stable within 4 assessments. BDI affective subscale scores were higher among persons with comorbidity. Longer intubation and postoperative complications was associated with higher scores of BDI somatic symptoms. Higher BDI scores were correlated with worse physical well-being rather than mental one. The level of anxiety symptoms was positively correlated with severity of depressive symptoms. However, in the follow-up group the significant reduction of anxiety symptoms after 3 months and 6 years in comparison to preoperative levels were observed.

Positive cardiac effect of CABG did not influence on reduction of depressive symptoms in short and long-term perspective. Preoperative assessment of anxiety and depressive symptoms can indicate risk group and suggest care proceedings during rehabilitation period in order to improve effectiveness of cardiac grafting.