Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
05:16
Cutoff Value of Phase Angle by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis at Admission as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Acute Heart Failure
Published on: June 10, 2025
Nutrition in heart failure: an update
Anja Sandek1, Wolfram Doehner, Stefan D Anker
1Applied Cachexia Research, Department of Cardiology, Charité Medical School, Berlin, Germany. anja.sandek@charite.de
Summary
Chronic heart failure (CHF) involves gut dysfunction, impacting nutrient absorption and inflammation. Addressing these gastrointestinal issues and nutritional strategies may improve outcomes for heart failure patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Cardiology
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a complex multisystem disease.
- Key comorbidities include anemia, insulin resistance, and cardiac cachexia.
- Emerging evidence highlights significant gastrointestinal involvement in CHF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the gastrointestinal abnormalities in patients with CHF.
- To explore the link between intestinal dysfunction and cardiac cachexia.
- To discuss nutritional abnormalities and therapeutic strategies in CHF.
Main Methods:
- Review of sonographic, histological, and functional gastrointestinal data.
- Analysis of current literature on gut alterations in CHF.
- Synthesis of knowledge on nutritional status and feeding regulation in CHF.
Main Results:
- Patients with CHF exhibit altered intestinal morphology, permeability, and absorption.
- Intestinal dysfunction contributes to chronic inflammation and metabolic imbalance in CHF.
- Nutritional abnormalities span macronutrients, micronutrients, and water balance.
Conclusions:
- The gut plays a critical role in inflammation and cachexia in heart failure.
- Dietary interventions targeting the gut may offer therapeutic benefits for CHF patients.
- Further research into the gut's role in heart failure is essential.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions
The first step in nursing management of a patient with heart failure involves thoroughly assessing the patient's medical history.Subjective Data: Obtain the patient's medical history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and symptoms like dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.Objective Data: Conduct a physical examination to identify findings such as jugular vein distention, pulmonary crackles, tachycardia, murmurs, peripheral edema, and vital signs,...
01:22Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies
Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
01:27Heart Failure I: Introduction
Heart failure refers to a clinical syndrome caused by structural or functional cardiac disorders that prevent the heart from pumping an adequate amount of blood to meet the body's metabolic needs. This condition often arises from myocardial infarction or ischemia, leading to decreased cardiac output, reduced tissue perfusion, impaired gas exchange, fluid volume imbalance, and decreased functional ability.Heart failure can result from disruptions in the mechanisms that regulate cardiac output...
01:28Mitral Regurgitation IV: Nursing Management
Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a condition where the mitral valve does not close properly, leading to the backward flow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole. This condition can arise from various causes, including rheumatic fever, infective endocarditis, or degenerative valve disease. Effective nursing management is crucial to optimizing patient outcomes and involves comprehensive assessment and targeted interventions.Comprehensive Patient AssessmentA detailed...
01:17Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
01:30Heart Failure V: Medical Management
Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...