Elevated preoperative NT pro-BNP (>300 pg ml−1) is a known risk factor for postoperative cardiovascular complications.33, 35 Elevated preoperative NT pro-BNP (>300 pg ml−1) concentration was present in 155/1325 (12.2%) patients, of whom only 11/155 (7.1%) had a pre-existing clinical diagnosis of heart failure. The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is heart failure.