Compared with the control group, we observed increased expression of genes such as biglycan (BGN) (FC = 1.89, p < 0.05), matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2) (FC = 1.23, p < 0.05), microfibril associated protein 5 (MFAP5) (FC = 2.34, p < 0.001) and elastin (ELN) (FC = 2.10, p < 0.01) in HF patients (Fig. 2E). Here, MMP2 is linked to hydrops fetalis.