NT-proBNP levels were positively correlated with the severity of the cardiomyopathy (early stage: 68 (39–79) pg/ml; intermediate stage: 95 (27–290) pg/ml; severe stage: 121 (55–844) pg/ml; ANOVA P = 0.009 with logarithmic transformation). Here, NPPB is linked to cardiomyopathy.