Cardiac Cachexia Revisited: The Role of Wasting in Heart Failure

Cardiac cachexia is a co-morbidity of heart failure (HF) defined by a non-edematous weight loss of ≥6% within the previous 6-12 months. Cachexia affects about 10-39% patients with HF and occurs typically in advanced stages of HF, especially in the presence of congestive right ventricular dysfunction. This review elucidates the approaches and pitfalls in the diagnosis of cachexia. It summarizes the prevalence and impact of cardiac cachexia. It also discusses changes in body composition over the course of HF and provides an overview of the mechanisms involved in wasting in HF.