MUGA Scan

What is a MUGA scan?

A multigated acquisition scan (also called equilibrium radionuclide angiogram or blood pool scan) is a noninvasive diagnostic test used to evaluate the pumping function of the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart). During the test, a small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into a vein. A special camera, called a gamma camera, detects the radiation released by the tracer to produce computer-generated movie images of the beating heart. The MUGA scan is a highly accurate test used to determine the heart’s pumping function.

Why am I getting a MUGA scan?

The MUGA scan is a highly accurate test used to determine the heart’s pumping function. This scan is primarily used to see how much blood leaves your heart with each contraction, which is known as your ejection fraction. The results can help your doctor check for heart conditions if you’re experiencing abnormal heart-related symptoms.