The Significance of Sarcopenia in Patients with Heart Failure: What Do We Know and Need to Know?

Abstract

Purpose: Sarcopenia is significantly associated with frailty, readmission, and mortality in patients with heart failure. This review aims to provide an overview of the literature on sarcopenia in individuals with heart failure. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted regarding the current state of knowledge on assessment tools for the diagnosis, prognosis, and optimal management of sarcopenia in patients with heart failure. Results: Sarcopenia can be defined as the loss of muscle mass with low muscle strength and/or poor physical performance. Sarcopenia has been officially listed as a disease in the eighth revision of the Korean Classification of Diseases in 2021. The causes of sarcopenia in patients with heart failure are multifactorial, including chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, low muscle blood flow, and endothelial dysfunction. The management of sarcopenia is primarily focused on exercise and/or nutritional management because there is no specific pharmacological therapy to treat sarcopenia. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals should be aware of the significance of early detection and timely management of sarcopenia to avoid physical disability, long-term institutional care, and mortality in individuals with heart failure. Clinical trials are required to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions including exercise and nutrition, alone or in combination, on sarcopenia in patients with heart failure. In addition, more research is required to identify multidimensional risk factors and diagnostic biomarkers for sarcopenia.