Cardiac Cachexia

Cardiac cachexia is a form of malnutrition and complication of advanced heart failure. The weight loss is unintentional and occurs from catabolic processes that are neurohormonal, immunological, and metabolic in origin. Body wasting of bone, muscle, and fat tissue; dyspnea; malabsorption or loss of nutrients through the gastrointestinal tract; deconditioning; and anorexia are present in cardiac cachexia. The body initially compensates, but the heart further decompensates, and terminal hemodynamic compromise occurs. Defining and diagnosing this syndrome has improved through recent research. The purpose of this article is to present current evidence regarding cardiac cachexia and management strategies that advance practice nurses can use.