In patients with left ventricular dilatation (end-diastolic volume > 150 ml in men and > 106 ml in women (18)), the level of NT-proBNP was higher, and this was also accompanied by an increase in stroke volume, cardiac output and a decrease in systemic vascular resistance without significant differences in ejection fraction, heart rate and blood pressure. The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is Left ventricular dilatation.