Multi-gated Cardiac Scan (MUGA Scan)

A nuclear medicine MUGA scan is used to examine the size, wall motion and function of your heart.

Exam Preparation

A CDI representative will call you prior to your appointment to provide specific instructions, and review health and insurance information.
Please bring previous imaging study results (x-ray, MRI, CT, etc.) such as reports, films, and CD-ROMS, if available.
Please arrive 15 minutes early to verify your registration and health information.
Please notify a CDI representative if there is a chance you could be pregnant.

During the exam – what to expect

Your exam will take 60 - 90 minutes.
You will first have blood drawn and then a waiting period of 25 minutes. During this time the technologist will tag your red blood cells with a radiotracer.
You will lie comfortably on a scan table and electrocardiogram (EKG) patches will be placed on your chest.
You will be given an injection in a vein of your arm or hand of the tagged red blood cells.
Images will be taken of your heart while your heart is being monitored for 30 - 60 minutes.

After the exam – what to expect

A radiologist who specializes in a specific area of the body will review your images.
The radiologist prepares a diagnostic report to share with your doctor.
Your doctor will consider this information in context of your overall care, and talk with you about the results.
Most of the radioactivity passes out of your body in urine or stool. The rest simply disappear through natural loss of radioactivity over time.