NPPB and hydrops fetalis: In response to pressure overload and volume expansion in the ventricles, cardiomyocytes secrete the hormone BNP and its inactive precursor NT-proBNP, due to increased wall stretching.8,40,41 BNP and NT-proBNP are widely recognized as key biomarkers in the clinical assessment of HF.8,41 Many studies have identified BNP and NT-proBNP as significant prognostic markers in patients with NIDCM.32,42,43 Our study uniquely identifies whole-heart myocardial mechanics and geometric parameters that correlate most strongly with BNP.