Collaborative Care Might Benefit Cardiac Patients with Depression and Anxiety

Collaborative care is effective for treating patients with anxiety and depression (NEJM JW Gen Med May 27 2010 and NEJM JW Gen Med Mar 10 2006). In this study, researchers examined the effects of collaborative care in 183 patients discharged from the hospital with acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, or arrhythmia and clinical diagnoses of depression, generalized anxiety, or panic disorder. Patients with unstable psychiatric disease, suicidal ideation, or substance abuse were excluded.

Participants were randomized to one of two groups. The collaborative care group received structured assessment and follow-up contact with a social worker plus either pharmacotherapy (citalopram, sertraline, buspirone, or clonazepam, depending on clinical si…