HFrEF: heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, NT-proBNP: N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, HFpEF: heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, EFT: epicardial fat thickness, AF: atrial fibrillation, T2DM: type 2 diabetes mellitus, NYHA: New York Heart Association, BNP: B-type natriuretic peptide, NICMP: nonischemic cardiomyopathy, CAD: coronary artery disease, SYNTAX: synergy between PCI with Taxus and cardiac surgery, CRP: C-reactive protein, ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate, HF: heart failure, EAT: epicardial adipose tissue, proBNP: pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. This evidence concerns the gene NPPB and hydrops fetalis.