TNFR1 is one of the receptors to which tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) binds, mainly leading to necrosis or apoptosis.41 TNFR1 seems to be increased in heart failure patients compared to controls42 but does not, in our material, strongly correlate with NT-proBNP, another marker of heart failure. This evidence concerns the gene NPPB and heart failure.