Survival following myocardial infarction (MI) is improving thanks to better early intervention to restore blood supply to the ischaemic myocardium. However, the myocardium is frequently damaged, increasing the longer-term risk for the development of heart failure. We1 and others have shown that the extent of infarct related injury can be limited by intervening to prevent expansion during the healing process that follows MI, leading to improved long term function. MI can be modelled in rodents, for example by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The infarct healing process that follows is increasingly well-defined2 and the influence of interventions can be characterized by collecting tissue for in vitro analysis after induction of infarction. However, separate cohorts of animals must be used for analysis of e.g. infarct size, inflammatory cell recruitment, matrix metalloproteinase activation, vessel density, collagen content at relevant times during infarct healing and for long term functional assessment. Advanced in vivo imaging is now available to assess several of these processes non-invasively.3,4 Our aim is to incorporate this approach into our studies to permit improved correlation between infarct healing events and long-term functional outcome, and also to reduce animal use. Imaging modalities currently available in Edinburgh Preclinical Imaging facility include high frequency ultrasound,5 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)6 and optical (near infrared fluorescence and bioluminescence) imaging.3 The presentation will include examples of how these are used to image aspects of myocardial structure and function, infarct injury, inflammatory cell recruitment and perfusion; comparing them with other imaging options including microPET and microCT. The pros and cons of each approach will be considered, including resolution, imaging depth, suitability of imaging agents and practical aspects including cost, time required for imaging and the impact on animal welfare.