A novel method for the analysis of Gadolinium-based contrast agents in complex clinical matrices is presented. Three commonly applied ionic contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging were separated by CE and detected by ESI-MS. Blank urine samples were spiked with Dotarem (Gd-DOTA, Gadolinium-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid), Magnevist (Gd-DTPA, Gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) and Multihance (Gd-BOPTA, Gadolinium-benzyloxymethyl-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) to determine the recovery rates. The figures of merit were determined with LODs as low as 2.0 x 10(-7) mol/L for Gd-DOTA, 5.0 x 10(-7) mol/L for Gd-DTPA and 1.0 x 10(-6) mol/L for Gd-BOPTA. The respective LOQs were 6.6 x 10(-7) mol/L for Gd-DOTA, 1.5 x 10(-6) mol/L for Gd-DTPA and 3.3 x 10(-6) mol/L for Gd-BOPTA. The linear working range comprised two orders of magnitude starting at the LOQ, with regression coefficients of R > or = 0.999 for all investigated analytes. Using this CE-MS method, Gd-DOTA was quantified in seven urine samples obtained at different times after delivery from a volunteer magnetic resonance imaging patient who was treated with Dotarem. Additionally, total Gd concentrations were determined by means of ICP-optical emission spectroscopy to validate the CE-MS data. To compensate for dietary dilution effects of the urine samples, creatinine was determined by HPLC with UV/Vis absorption detection. Gd-DOTA concentrations were normalized to urinary creatinine, illustrating the fast excretion kinetics of Gd-DOTA.