NPPB and congestive heart failure: Unfavorable outcome in group B was predicted by the following signs of advanced CHF: a history of decompensated HF in the last 12 months, higher New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, higher heart rate, lower systolic blood pressure, markedly elevated plasma levels of BNP (Figure 1), higher creatinine serum levels, worse tolerance of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or sartans, and higher daily doses of furosemide.