Background: Anxiety is an often overlooked risk factor in coronary artery disease (CAD). Hence, little is known about predictors of unremitting chronic anxiety in CAD patients. This study examined whether the distressed personality (Type D) predicts chronic anxiety post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: Unselected patients treated with PCI using sirolimus-eluting or bare metal stents as part of the RESEARCH registry, who were anxious 6 months post-PCI, qualified for inclusion. Patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at 6 and 12 months and the Type D Scale 6 months post-PCI. Results: Of 167 patients anxious at 6 months, 108 (65%) were still anxious 12 months post-PCI. Significant univariable predictors of chronic anxiety were Type D personality (OR:3.17: 95% CI:1.64-6.14) and sirolimus-eluting stents (OR:0.51; 95% CI:0.27-0.98), with sirolimus-eluting stents showing a protective effect. In multivariable analyses, Type D personality (OR:3.31; 95% CI:1.59-6.87) and sirolimus-eluting stents (OR:0.44; 95% CI:0.21-0.92) remained significant independent predictors of chronic anxiety adjusting for depressive symptoms at 6 months, and demographic and clinical risk factors. Limitations: All psychological measures are based on self-report, and there is no information on cardiac rehabilitation or use of pharmacotherapy, however our sample represents patients seen in daily clinical practice.  Conclusions: These findings suggest that Type D personality is a risk factor and sirolimus-eluting stents a protective factor for the development of chronic anxiety 12 months post-PCI. Long-term studies need to corroborate these preliminary findings, as the protective effect of sirolimus-eluting stents may wear off over time.