Excess iron reacts with other substances in tissues leading to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Uncontained ROS damages cells, which leads to cell death, then breakdown of tissue and eventually severe organ damage. One of the organs frequently affected is the heart. As iron accumulates in the heart, the ability of its cells to perform functions, such as contracting or transmitting electrical impulses, is impaired. Over time, this can lead to serious complications. Thus, in the case of patients with iron overload, rescue of iron from the heart is key to survival. A recent follow-up analysis of 1073 individuals with thalassaemia major in 7 Italian teaching hospitals found that during the course of the study 59.6% of deaths were due to heart failure, 6.7% to arrhythmia, 6.7% to infection and 4% were attributed to liver disease (Borgna-Pignatti, 2001). The use of Ferriprox® in the management of iron overload has been shown to have a beneficial effect on the heart (Anderson 2003; Piga, 2003).