Association between changes in subcutaneous fat mass and heart failure-induced cachexia: a case report

[Purpose] We investigated whether an increase or decrease in subcutaneous fat mass secondary to cardiac cachexia can be evaluated using diagnostic ultrasonography in patients with heart failure. [Participant and Methods] We report a case of cardiac cachexia in a patient in whom cachexia was confirmed by weight loss, decreased dietary intake, and biochemical indicators measured by blood tests. We measured the subcutaneous fat mass in the patient's thigh using ultrasonic diagnostic equipment during the cachectic state, as well as 1 and 2 months later. [Results] An increase in weight and ultrasonographically documented femoral subcutaneous fat mass was confirmed by improvement in heart failure-induced cachexia. [Conclusion] Clinically convenient ultrasonic diagnostic equipment is useful to assess subcutaneous fat mass, which serves as an indicator of the degree of cachexia.