Acute sarcopenia is defined as sarcopenia lasting less than 6 months and is usually a result of acute stresses (acute disease, surgery, trauma, etc.). The condition, a concept proposed only a few years ago, is a newly recognized and defined syndrome and has not yet recieved much attention in the research community. Acute sarcopenia is strongly associated with poor health-related prognoses, increasing intensive care unit admissions, prolonging mechanical ventilation and hospitalization, and increasing the risk of death. Its diagnosis is based on the diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia combined with acute stresses and the time of onset. To date, few studies focus on acute sarcopenia, and its pathogenesis remains unclear, which is probably related to inflammation, being bedridden, malnutrition, and hormonal levels. Potential interventions for acute sarcopenia include exercise, nutritional interventions, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation, but no therapeutic drugs are available.