Furthermore, the sST2 was also associated with NYHA functional class, LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and BNP/NT-proBNP levels; unlike natriuretic peptides, sST2 was not correlated with age, body mass index, atrial fibrillation or the etiology of HF [44,56]. The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is atrial fibrillation.