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Figure 3 Changes in BNP Levels and Echocardiographic Findings During a Clinically Compensated Status

Changes in B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) at 3-month intervals after hospital discharge (A) and in echocardiographic variables between discharge and 6 months (B). Solid or open circles indicate BNP levels, echocardiographic dimensions (left ventricular end-diastolic dimension [LVDd]; left atrial diastolic dimension [LADd]), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in event-free patients or patients readmitted for decompensated heart failure, respectively. Values are mean ± standard error of the mean. p values comparing changes in BNP and echocardiographic variables between readmitted patients and event-free patients are for repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance over 6 months.