The 2012 ESC guidelines for the management of heart failure revealed that BNP, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) levels showed usefulness in detecting heart failure patients, a differential diagnosis of dyspneoa and risk stratification.41 This evidence concerns the gene NPPA and heart failure.