Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, glycosylated
hemoglobin, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP)
[14] were determined from 12-h fasting serum samples. Levels of
the amino terminal fragment of the prohormone brain-type natriuretic
peptide (NT-proBNP) were determined using Roche Diagnostics
Elecsys NT-proBNP electrochemiluminescence
immunoassay (ElecsysproBNP