Bipolar affective disorder following coronary bypass surgery.

Bipolar affective disorders characterized by mania and depression have not previously been reported as a complication of coronary bypass surgery, although pure depressive symptoms are well known. This case describes a 46 year old male, with a negative psychiatric history, who developed mania as well as depression after having two vessel bypass surgery on his right coronary artery. The patient's history and symptoms of mania and depression met research criteria for the diagnosis of a bipolar affective disorder, and he responded well to lithium carbonate.