NPPB and heart disorder: The clinical characteristics of these nine excluded patients did not differ from other patients in terms of age (65.3 ± 10 years), sex (40% female), associated cardiac disease, ANP level (248.9 ± 108 pmol/l), BNP level (240 ± 111 pg/ml) or echocardiographic parameters (LA volume 45.2 ml/m2, 4C-PALS mean 11.8%; 2C-PALS mean 9%; MAPS mean 10.6%).