Depressed mood and quality of life after successful coronary angioplasty

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of mood on quality of life (QoL) in patients with coronary artery disease after successful coronary angioplasty (PTCA). 100 patients with symptomatic angina and optimal PTCA were included. The QoL was examined by the SF-36. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess depressed mood. All subjects were assessed a day before (time 1) and four weeks (time 2) after PTCA. At time 2 all patients were significantly less depressed, with better QoL in comparison to time 1. However, in depressed subjects QoL was significantly worse at time 1 and time 2, in comparison to non-depressed ones, in spite of similarly optimal result of PTCA. In basicly depressed patients with significant mood improvement at time 2, also QoL improved and did not differ from that in never depressed subjects. Evaluation and treatment of depressive symptoms in patients undergoing revascularization may result in significantly better QoL after intervention.