Abstract

Background: Although many studies concerning psychic disorders after
cardiac transplantation have been conducted, analysis covering the dynamics of mood and anxiety changes still need to be carried out. Such analyses are useful to determine the periods of increased morbidity risk and to plan supportive actions.
Material/Methods: In a group of 36 heart transplant recipients weekly measurements of anxiety, depression and mania levels were taken by means of standard psychopathological scales. Measurements were continued for eight weeks. Obtained data were analysed with the use of variance analysis for repeated measurements, which enabled us to track the dynamics of disorders.
Results: We found that the mean number of points obtained in mania scale was the highest during the first fortnight after transplantation and there was a sharp drop in the third week. From the third until the eight week fluctuations were slight. Drops between the following weeks: first, third and fourth, and seventh and eighth are statistically significant. Mean number of points scored in depression scale was the highest in the first week after the procedure and was dropping until the seventh week. Drops between the following weeks: first, fifth and sixth, and seventh and eighth are statistically significant. Fluctuations of anxiety level in the first eight weeks after transplantation are not clear and drops (elevations) among weeks never achieve statistical significance.
Conclusions: The severity of mood disorders is the highest during the fortnight after transplantation, whereas fluctuations of anxiety level during the first eight weeks are statistically insignificant.

Keywords: Heart Transplantation