This is a systemic review and consensus statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) that was published in 2014. [1] A total of 53 studies and 4 meta-analyses were included in the review.
Approximately 20% of patients admitted with an acute coronary syndrome fulfil diagnostic criteria of major depression, even more will have depressive symptoms. The review identified heterogeneity in the published findings with regards to the demographics of the samples, the definition and measurement of depression, the length of follow-up, and the covariates included in statistical analyses. Despite this, the body of evidence leads to the recommendation that the AHA should elevate depression to the status of a risk factor for adverse outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes:
Depression is a risk factor for cardiac mortality, all-cause mortality and nonfatal cardiac events.
1 Lichtman JH, Froelicher ES, Blumenthal JA, et al. Depression as a risk factor for poor prognosis among patients with acute coronary syndrome: Systematic review and recommendations: A scientific statement from the american heart association. Circulation 2014;129:1350–69. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000019
