Body composition changes in patients with systolic heart failure treated with beta blockers: A pilot study

Background Cachexia is an independent risk factor for mortality in chronic heart failure (CHF). Beta blockers can reduce body energy expenditure and improve efficiency of substrate utilization. Aim To assess the changes in body composition in non-cachectic patients with CHF treated with beta blockers. Methods We prospectively followed 41 non-cachectic ambulatory CHF patients (mean age 67 ± 10 years, ejection fraction 37 ± 4%) treated with beta blockers for at least 6 months. Body composition was measured by bioimpedance. Results At baseline 16/41 patients were treated with beta blockers while at the end of follow-up all patients received beta blockers (31/41 at full recommended dose). During follow up of 263 ± 106 days body weight (83.1 ± 16.7 vs. 83.0 ± 16.9 kg), body mass index (29.3 ± 5.5 vs. 29.3 ± 5.6) and total body water did not change (51.2 ± 6.4% vs. 51.0 ± 6.4%), while total body fat mass (27.4 ± 9.6 to 28.3 ± 10.2 kg, median change + 0.89 kg, p = 0.01) and percent of total body fat increased (32.3 ± 7.4% to 33.4 ± 7.5%, median change + 0.7%, p < 0.001). New York Heart Association class and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire improved from 2.9 ± 0.4 and 48 ± 15 to 2.3 ± 0.6 and 32 ± 16, respectively (p < 0.001 for both). Conclusion In patients with CHF, treatment with beta blockers can increase total body fat mass and total body fat content.