Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, Ruhr University Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
Short Communication
Perioperative Mental Health Support for Heart Surgery Patients
Author(s): Katharina Tigges-Limmer*, Scott Stock Gissendanner, Yvonne Brocks and Jan Gummert
This commentary discusses research and consensus guidelines regarding the prevalence of mental health problems
among heart surgery patients and the provision of mental health care before, during and after surgery. Comorbid
mental illnesses-including especially depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder-are present in this patient
group and associated with higher mortality risk. Consensus guidelines recommend screening, assessment and
intervention for affected patients. .. View more»