PSYCHIATRIC-ASSESSMENT OF PATIENTS WITH LIFE-THREATENING CARDIAC-ARRHYTHMIAS

Objective: This article describes the development of a protocol specifically designed for the psychiatric assessment of patients with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Method: Psychiatric assessment occurs in the context of a team approach in which the cardiologist has a pivotal role. Initial findings and one-year follow-up data on the first twenty-five patients evaluated psychiatrically are presented. Results: Findings tend to confirm that psychiatric complaints are common on initial assessment and suggest that patients with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias who do not use the psychological mechanism of denial and volunteer psychological complaints may constitute a subgroup of patients who would be more amenable to psychiatric intervention compared to those denying psychological complaints at initial psychiatric interview. Conclusion: Psychiatrists and associated professionals should become more involved with patients with life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.