NPPB and Ascites: When comparing patients with F2-F3 oesophageal varices to those with F0/F1 varices (Table 4), regardless of ascites, while NT pro-BNP plasma levels were similar (385.9±329.4, vs. 302.8±338.5 p = 0,39), the former had a higher e' velocity (0.91±0.23 vs 0.66±0.19 m/s, p<0.001), and, accordingly a higher E/A ratio (1.21±0.46 vs 0.89±0.33 m/s., p = 0.006) (Figure 2).