Body composition phenotypes and phase angle as predictors of mortality in subjects with right ventricular dysfunction: a prospective cohort study

Background Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) is characterized by abnormal RV structure or function and is associated with worse outcomes. In subjects with RVD, cardiac cachexia and sarcopenia were associated with intestinal congestion. However, the prognostic impact and prevalence of body composition phenotypes and phase angle (PhA) in RVD have been insufficiently studied. Objective To assess the prognostic impact and prevalence of body composition phenotypes and PhA in RVD, Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted. Outpatient subjects over 18 years old with a confirmed diagnosis of RVD were included. Dynapenia, muscle wasting, and sarcopenia, according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2), while cachexia was defined according to Evans criteria. Results A total of 212 subjects with RVD were included. The mean age of the subjects was 64.47 ± 13.99 years, and 58.96% were men. The prevalence of dynapenia was 28.30%, muscle wasting was 10.38, sarcopenia was 21.70%, and cachexia was 4.25%. The independent risk factors for mortality were PhA < 5° (HR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.27 to 4.15, p = 0.006), low performance (HR:2.69, 95% CI: 1.25 to 5.81, p = 0.011), sarcopenia (HR: 2.58, 95% CI 1.05 to 6.34; p = 0.038), and cachexia (HR: 4.29, 95% CI 1.29 to 14.24; p = 0.017). Conclusion In subjects with RVD, there is a higher prevalence of muscle disorders such as dynapenia, sarcopenia, and cachexia. Besides PhA, sarcopenia and cachexia were associated with a worse prognosis.