To describe psychosocial adaptation after coronary artery surgery and to
identify preoperative factors associated with good outcome, the authors
interviewed 30 patients before and 1--2 years after surgery. Despite good
physiologic outcome (as measured by treadmill and cardiac function) this
sample was found to be functioning poorly. Eighty-three percent were
unemployed, and 57% were sexually impaired. A preoperative duration of
symptoms of eight months or more was associated with significantly worse
postoperative overall adaptation. Most patients who had suffered angina
eight months or longer evidenced a damaged self- concept, which was
reinforced rather than repaired by the experience of surgery.Abstract Teaser