Objective To compare the blood high mobility group box-1 (HMGB-l) versus N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for assessment of cardiac dysfunction in the patients with severe sepsis.Methods Ninety-eight patients of both sexes,aged 18-75 yr,were divided into 3 groups according to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF):non-cardiac dysfunction group (LVEF ≥ 50 ％,n =43),mild cardiac dysfunction group (30％ ≤ LVEF ＜ 50％,n =41),and severe cardiac dysfunction group (LVEF ＜ 30％,n =14).Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score was performed.Venous blood samples were obtained for determination of the concentrations of HMGB-1 and NT-proBNP.Days of hospitalization and the survival rates within 28 days after admission to hospital were recorded.Pearson correlation between blood HMGB-l,NT-proBNP concentrations and LVEF was analyzed.Results Compared with non-cardiac dysfunction group,LVEF was significantly decreased,APACHE Ⅱ score and blood HMGB-1 and NT-proBNP concentrations were increased,days of hospitalization were prolonged,and the survival rates were decreased in mild and severe cardiac dysfunction groups,and the changes in the parameters mentioned above were more obvious in severe cardiac dysfunction group.The correlation coefficient between blood HMGB-1 concentration and LVEF was -0.639 and between blood NT-proBNP concentration and LVEF was-0.521,showing significant difference.Conclusion Blood HMGB-1 concentration provides higher reliability than blood NT-proBNP concentration in assessing the degree of cardiac dysfunction in the patients with severe sepsis.