The accuracy of contrast-enhanced cine magnetic resonance (cine-MR) imaging to determine left ventricular function was assessed by comparison with the established noncontrast cine-MR sequences. Contrast-enhanced balanced steady-state free precession (cine-SSFP) sequences were compared with precontrast cine-SSFP sequences in the assessment of left ventricular contractile function in 30 consecutive patients with various cardiac diseases. Five to eight short-axis image sections were obtained in each patient. Quantitative data were analyzed using a paired t-test and linear regression analysis. Qualitative assessment of images was made following a 16-segment analysis. There was no significant difference between the two sequences in regional wall motion, end-diastolic volumes (EDV) and end-systolic volumes (ESV), stroke volume, left ventricular mass, as well as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), despite slight delayed subendocardial enhancement in ten patients with myocardial infarction. All the values studied above were closely correlated between both cine-SSFP sequences (Spearman r=0.85-0.97, P<0.0001 for all comparisons). Contrast-enhanced cine-SSFP sequences can be used as a similar diagnostic tool as precontrast cine-MR sequences in the assessment of left ventricular contractile function.