Heart Failure: Correlation between Anthropometric Parameters, Body Composition and Cell Integrity

Abstract Background: Knowledge about phase angle and its use as a prognostic determinant in patients with heart failure is still scarce. Objective: To evaluate the correlation between anthropometric indicators, cardiac function and cell integrity in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that evaluated patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction by anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Chi-square test and Student's t test were used to analyze differences, and Pearson's linear correlation was used to evaluate associations, using p < 0.05 to indicate statistical significance. Results: We evaluated 41 subjects aged 30-74 years, of which 34 were men (82.9%). Mean phase angle was higher among women (7.1%), but significant differences between men and women were found only for body fat percentage. Phase angle correlated with body mass index (r = 0.44, p = 0.004) and there was a trend of correlation of the phase angle with waist-to-height ratio (r = 0.29, p = 0.06) and the left ventricular ejection fraction (r = 0.29, p = 0.07). Conclusions: Phase angle showed a good correlation with body mass index and showed a trend of correlation with the left ventricular ejection fraction, supporting the obesity paradox and the prognostic importance of this marker. Further studies on the applicability of the phase angle in the prognosis of these patients are still needed.