Increased vascular afterload parameters (Ea) in the untreated HF group was partially restored by apelin treatment (0.51 ± 0.04 mmHg/μl in the sham, 0.74 ± 0.08 mmHg/μl in the untreated, and 0.46 ± 0.05 mmHg/μl in the apelin group). The gene discussed is APLN; the disease is hydrops fetalis.