As expected, levels of NT-proBNP and hs-CRP were significantly higher in the heart failure patients compared to controls (NT-proBNP 7150 ± 7745 vs 145 ± 165 pg/mL, p < 0.0001; hs-CRP 29 ± 37 vs 2.6 ± 3.3 mg/L, p < 0.0001), and circulating fibulin-3 concentration in heart failure patients was significantly positively correlated with NT-proBNP and hs-CRP, and was significantly negatively correlated with LVEF (Fig. 2c). This evidence concerns the gene EFEMP1 and heart failure.