Muga Scan

The MUGA scan is a method of examining the heart. By looking at the pictures, your doctor will learn information about the blood supply to your heart and about how well your heart functions.

How is a MUGA scan done?

For the MUGA scan, you will receive intravenous (IV) injections of technetium (tek-NEE-shee-uhm) and pyrophosphate (pie-roh-FAHS-fayt). Technetium is a tracer which attaches to certain cells and makes them visible to the camera. Pyrophosphate makes the technetium stick to the red bloods cells. Because the tracer attaches to the red blood cells, the imaging camera is able to see the blood flow through the heart. It is unlikely that you will feel any effects from the injections. The amount of radiation you will be exposed to is no more than you would receive from other x-ray tests and is not harmful to you.

What are the differences between a resting and exercise scan?

There are two types of MUGA scans: resting and exercise. Your doctor will tell you whether you will having one or both procedures. After you report for the scan, you will be given the first of two IV injections. Next, you will be taken to the Nuclear Cardiology room where a technologist will help you get ready for the exam. You will be asked to lie flat on an examining table and EKG patches will be applied to your chest and connected to an EKG machine to monitor your heart. About 15 minutes after the first injection, you will be given the second injection, and the scan will begin. During a resting MUGA scan, pictures will be taken while you rest. A large imaging camera will be brought close to your chest to take a series of pictures. A technologist will make the necessary adjustments and the imaging will begin. It is important to lie still during the scan. A technologist will be nearby if you need anything. This part of the scan lasts about 25 minutes. If you are having a resting study only, the test will be over when this series of pictures is completed.

If you are having the exercise study also, you will pedal a bicycle attached to the bed. The staff will stay with you during the test to check your blood pressure and heart rate. They will tell you when to start pedaling and will adjust the pedals, making it easier or harder to push, depending on your condition. It is important to exercise as hard as you can because this will provide more information about how well your heart functions. You will be told when to stop exercising. At some point, you may feel some chest discomfort. If so, let the technologist know. They may ask you to continue pedaling for a short time in order to find out how your heart works when you are having discomfort. This can be important information, so please cooperate as well as you can. Once you exercise after this feeling of discomfort, the test will be over, usually in a minute or two. You can expect the entire test to take approximately 2 hours to complete.