Direct detection of myocardial fibrosis by MRI

► UTE MRI is able to visualize tissue with a fast T2* decay, such as tendons and cartilage. ► We investigated the use of UTE MRI to detect post-infarcted fibrosis in a rat model. ► In UTE MRI images, signal is observed in infarcted hearts and corresponds to collagen-rich areas observed by histology. ► UTE MRI can directly detect post-infarcted fibrosis, without administration of exogenous contrast.