Most cachectic and some noncachectic patients with CHF show features of acquired GH resistance. The principal predictors of the biochemical features of GH resistance and of the poor biochemical response to short-term and longer-term GH treatment are GH-BP plasma levels. The presence of GH resistance is potentially a major factor determining the response to GH therapy in patients with CHF.

Patients with low insulin-like growth factor I levels show signs of altered body composition, cytokine and neuroendocrine activation, to a greater extent than patients with normal/high levels.