Anxiety and depression in surgical cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are often associated with anxiety and depression. The literature gives different interpretations of this comorbidity. Psychopathological factors have been successivly studied as risk factors, comorbid disorders and factors influencing the prognostic. The authors describe the incidence and the prevalence of anxiety and depression, first in coronary heart disease and secondly before cardiac surgery. The prognostic significance of these psychological factors is also reviewed. Physiopathological hypothesis and practical application in clinical practice are proposed.