Postoperative Psychosis in Cardiotomy Patients

Abstract

Fifty-eight cardiotomy patients and 20 patients undergoing major vascular surgery were studied to assess the roles of organic factors, sleep and sensory deprivation and psychiatric factors in the development of postoperative psychosis. Two thirds of the cardiac patients were psychologically evaluated before operation, extensively interviewed and encouraged to discuss the emotional aspects of their surgery. The findings include a 14 per cent overall prevalence of postoperative psychosis in cardiotomy patients, with increased percentages in males, older patients, patients undergoing aortic-valve replacement, those with neurologic and other organic abnormalities and those expressing minimal preoperative anxiety. The preoperative psychiatric interview was associated with a reduction of postoperative psychosis by 50 per cent.