Personality disorders in postoperative period of coronary artery bypass graft surgery

: Personality disorders (PD) are recognized among key maladaptive factors in postoperative period of coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS). However studies on PD among CABS patients are predominantly under psychological approach and information on clinical features is very limited. A present investigation aimed at assessing clinical features and prognostic value of PD in late post operative period of CABS (from 1 to 3 years). Using psychiatric, cardiological and psychological methods, 48 patients (42 male, mean age 61.3 +/- 8.2 years) with diagnosis of PD and favorable cardiological status after CABS have been assessed. PD in post operative period is an important predictor of unfavorable social and occupational outcome of CABS. Three types of clinical course of PD were singled out: 1) hypohondric personality development; 2) "second life" personality development; 3) "denial of illness" reactions. Pronounced maladaptation was observed in type 1, most severe one--in type 2 and minimal maladaptation or its absence--in type 3. These types were differentiated by different repertoires of psychological defense mechanisms (PMD): type 1 was characterized by a limited number of them with a drift to mature mechanisms; PD of type 2 are featured by a narrow and rigid repertoire of defenses with predomination of immature mechanisms and in type 3 a maximum number of PMD with balanced involvement of mature and immature mechanisms was observed.