Pre-existing major depression predicts in-hospital cardiac complications after acute myocardial infarction

Background: Depression (MDD) and anxiety have been associated with negative long-term outcomes among patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). Objective: The objective of the study was to determine whether MDD and anxiety preceding MI were associated with in-hospital post-MI cardiac complications. Method: Subjects (N = 129) underwent psychiatric interviews within 72 hours of MI and were evaluated for five in-hospital cardiac complications (recurrent ischemia, ventricular arrhythmia, ventricular arrhythmia requiring intervention, congestive heart failure, and reinfarction). Results: Current (pre-MI) MDD was a significant and independent predictor of all complications except recurrent ischemia on multivariate regression analysis. In contrast, pre-MI anxiety was not associated with complications. Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of identifying and treating MDD in post-MI patients and those at risk for MI.