Cardiac cachexia

Q: All of the following are part of cardiac cachexia criteria except?

A) 10% edema-free body weight loss in the previous 12 months
B) Hb < 12 g/dL
C) serum albumin < 3.2 g/dL
D) a body mass index < 20 kg/m2
E) increased inflammatory markers


Answer: A

Cardiac cachexia is now a designated term. Cardiac failure leads to changes in all major organ physiology including nutritional status of the patient. It is now defined as "at least 5% edema-free body weight loss in the previous 12 months."

All other choices are accepted standard in the criteria of general cachexia.


#cardiology

#nutrition

References:

1. Christensen HM, Kistorp C, Schou M, Keller N, Zerahn B, Frystyk J, et al. Prevalence of cachexia in chronic heart failure and characteristics of body composition and metabolic status. Endocrine. 2013;43(3):626–634. 

2. Trullas JC, Formiga F, Montero M, Carrera-Izquierdo M, Grau-Amorós J, Chivite-Guillén D, RICA Investigators et al. Impact of weight loss on mortality in chronic heart failure: findings from the RICA Registry. Int J Cardiol. 2013;168(1):306–311