Research on cachexia, sarcopenia and skeletal muscle in cardiology

Abstract

Background: The awareness of cardiac cachexia, i.e. involuntary weight loss in patients with underlying cardiovascular disease, has increased over the last two decades. Methods and results: This mini-review looks at recent research in the cardiovascular literature that is relevant to the areas of interest of the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle. It identifies significant research in the last 3 years on the obesity paradox, the causes and effects of skeletal muscle wasting, animal models of cachexia and emerging treatment ideas in cardiac cachexia. Conclusions: Assuming a similar literature in the fields of cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic renal failure and chronic liver failure, the emergence of cachexia as a vibrant area of clinical and experimental research seems assured. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.