NPPB and myocarditis: While clinical characteristics (age, gender, arrhythmia) were comparable between disease groups, DCM patients showed higher NT-proBNP levels (3,823.3 ± 1,734.9 vs. 1,622.2 ± 264.0 fmol/mL; P < 0.001), whereas myocarditis patients exhibited greater interventricular septal thickening and reduced LVEF/LVEDD.