NPPB and myocardial ischemia: To determine the actual effect of hypoxia on postmortem NT-proBNP and BNP levels, studies in which deaths related solely to acute myocardial ischemia not associated with chronic coronary disease (e.g., drowning, cyanide, or carbon monoxide intoxication), deaths with evidence of chronic ischemia, and cases with signs of congestion not caused by myocardial ischemia are compared are needed.