Univariate analyses indicated that age, history of essential hypertension and AF, NYHA functional classes, systolic blood pressure, QRS duration, LV and LA diameters, LVEF, circulating creatinine levels, NT pro-BNP, fasting blood glucose, serum creatinine levels, big-ET and hs-CRP were all predictors of all-cause mortality in DCM patients. The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is atrial fibrillation.