NPPB and edema: The DCM-HFrEF mice recapitulate human HF progressive stages [8,9] in an age- and sex-related manner, from at risk for HF (stage A) to pre-HF (stage B: to progressive decline in contractile function (rEF) and increasing heart dilation), HF (stage C: systemic and pulmonary edema with increases in HF biomarkers (NT-pro-ANP and BNP/NT-pro-BNP, etc.)and cardiac fibrosis), and advanced HF (stage D: edema, pulmonary effusion, visible HF signs, decreased muscle/fat mass (cachexia/sarcopenia), with a median survival age of 13–14 weeks in females and 20 weeks in males) (Figure 2).