PURPOSE:: To evaluate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced (CE) delayed cine steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequences in the assessment of apparent infarct size after acute myocardial infarction (MI). MATERIALS AND METHODS:: Contrast-enhanced (CE) balanced cine-SSFP sequences were compared with delayed-enhancement (DE) T1 sequences for their ability to detect segmental abnormal enhancement in 29 consecutive patients with recent successfully reperfused acute MI. RESULTS:: The extent of myocardial involvement revealed by postcontrast cine-SSFP sequences and DE images was closely correlated (Spearman r = 0.86, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the two sequences in assessing subendocardial or transmural involvement. CONCLUSION:: In addition to DE sequences, CE cine-SSFP sequences should play a role in assessing necrotic and jeopardized myocardium after acute MI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.