Tools for the Assessment of the Malnutrition Status and Possible Interventions in Elderly with Cardiovascular Diseases
Elisabetta Tonet, Roberta Campana, Serena Caglioni, Federico Gibiino, Alessio Fiorio, Giorgio Chiaranda, Silvia Zagnoni, Gianni Casella, Gianluca Campo
Abstract
Malnutrition represents a common and important feature in elderly people affected by cardiovascular diseases. Several studies have investigated its prevalence and prognostic role in most clinical settings, including cardiovascular disease. However, in daily practice it usually remains unrecognized and consequently untreated. The present review was ideated to answer the main questions about nutritional status assessment in patients with cardiovascular disease: why, when, where, how to evaluate it, and what to do to improve it. The three main cardiovascular diseases, namely aortic stenosis, ischaemic heart disease, and heart failure were considered. First, the main evidence supporting the prognostic role of malnutrition are summarized and analyzed. Second, the main tools for the assessment of malnutrition in the hospital and outpatient setting are reported for each condition. Finally, the possible strategies and interventions to address malnutrition are discussed.