NPPB and atherosclerosis: Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that NT-proBNP, CTP ischemic penumbra volume, and rLMC score were associated with NIHSS score, and NT-proBNP was positively associated with NIHSS scores (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.000-0.002; P = 0.004) in the AF group, whatever in the unadjusted model or adjusted models, but not in the nonlarge artery atherosclerosis (LAA) group.