In fact, large cohort studies and meta-analyses have shown the association between the risk factors in heart failure patients, such as NT pro-BNP, cardiac EF level, plasma level of calcium, hemoglobin, creatinine, uric acid, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), overweight, chronic heart disease, malignancy and pulmonary infection with the prognosis of heart failure (31, 32). Here, NPPB is linked to heart failure.