Background: Post-OHT anxiety disorders represent a serious problem, not only causing a considerable worsening of patients' comfort but also disturbing the course of rehabilitation. Despite a number of studies, it proved to be infeasible to share the same opinion regarding the incidence of post-OHT anxiety disorders and the reasons for their occurrence.
Material/Methods: 49 heart transplant recipients have been evaluated during the first 16 weeks after OHT. Using the ICD-10 criteria, the incidence of anxiety disorders and 17 demographic and medical factors potentially influencing the probability of their occurrence were studied.
Results: Generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks were found in 24
patients and 1 patient, respectively. Anxiety syndromes were divided into two categories. Anxiety inducing a slight discomfort that does not interfere with functioning has been called "moderate", in turn the one causing a pronounced discomfort and having an impact on the course of rehabilitation has been called "severe". The only factor increasing the risk of anxiety disorders was older age. On the other hand, the risk of severe anxiety was higher at a greater number of "false alarms" (number of requests to arrive to medical centre not finished with transplantation), and long-lasting hospitalizations.
Conclusions: Anxiety disorders are a frequent phenomenon during early
post-OHT rehabilitation. "False alarms", older age, long-lasting hospitalizations rise the risk of post-OHT anxiety disorders.

Keywords: Heart Transplantation