NPPB and atherosclerosis: The left atrium (LA) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) were larger (<i>Z</i> = 105.031; <i>P</i>=0.001 and <i>Z</i> = 74.430; <i>P</i>=0.001), respectively, suggesting that patients with significantly increased BNP had a higher risk of thromboembolism and atherosclerosis, lower EF, larger LA and LVEDD, and worse cardiac function.