When analyzing the severity of heart failure, there was no difference between groups at baseline reflected by the NT-proBNP levels (2626 (1683-5214) vs. 2518 (988-4791), p = 0.18) or the NYHA class (2.97 ± 0.48 vs. 2.91 ± 0.57, p = 0.61). The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is heart failure.