Psychiatric symptoms, type A behavior, and arrhythmias following coronary bypass

One hundred four patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery were evaluated for psychiatric symptoms and their association with postoperative arrhythmias occurring within 48 hours after surgery. Patients high in type A behavior had increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias, while those scoring relatively high in depression and anxiety had fewer atrial arrhythmias than patients low in these measures. No significant association was found between postoperative arrhythmias and obesity, heavy tobacco use, or number of bypasses. A history of arrhythmias correlated significantly with postoperative arrhythmias. Anxious or depressed patients who deny their symptoms may be at increased risk for postoperative atrial arrhythmias.