In this model we found that HF, characterized by low LVEF, pulmonary congestion and left ventricular dilation, was accompanied by normal hematology parameters, normal serum iron parameters (iron concentration, ferritin concentration, transferrin saturation), unchanged liver iron stores, unchanged myocardial iron content and preserved expression of most of the cardiomyocyte iron handling proteins (those involved in cellular iron regulation (IRP1, IRP2, hepcidin), import (TfR1, DMT1), export (Fpn) and sequestration (ferritin-l)). This evidence concerns the gene ACO1 and Left ventricular dilatation.