Mood state as a predictor of neuropsychological deficits following cardiac surgery

Objectives: mood disorders and neuropsychological deficits are both commonly reported occurrences after cardiac surgery. We examined the relationship between mood state and postoperative cognitive deficits in this population.Methods: assessments of neuropsychological functions and mood state (depression, anxiety, stress scales; DASS) were performed preoperatively and postoperatively on 147 patients undergoing cardiac surgery.Results: the incidence of preoperative depression, anxiety, and stress symptomatology was 16%, 27%, and 16%, respectively. The incidence of postoperative anxiety symptomatology significantly increased to 45% (p<0.001), while the incidence of depression and stress symptomatology remained stable (19% and 15%, respectively; ns). Changes in mood state did not influence changes in neuropsychological performance. Preoperative mood was a strong predictor of postoperative mood, and was related to postoperative deficits on measures of attention and memory.Conclusions: an assessment of preoperative mood is critical in identifying patients at risk of postoperative mood disorders and neuropsychological deficits. Measures assessing somatic manifestations of anxiety may not be suitable for a surgical population.