Nuclear Medicine MUGA Scan

If there is a possibility of pregnancy or breastfeeding, please inform the technologist prior to the date of your examination.

What to expect

A MUGA (Multi Gated Acquisition) scan is a procedure that allows your physician to evaluate the pumping ability of your heart. A special camera captures the events in the heart’s pumping cycle: the contraction of the heart, followed by its relaxation.

There is no special preparation for a MUGA scan. The scan will take approximately 1 to 2 hours.

On the day of your exam

Please arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to your appointment time to allow for parking and registration. If you bring friends or family to the appointment they will be asked to have a seat in a waiting room during your test. Children cannot be left unattended during the test, so please arrange for a caregiver.

The procedure

A small amount of stannous ions (Tin) will be injected into your vein. The stannous ions make your red blood cells “sticky.”

After a 20 minute period, a small amount of radioactive material will be injected into your blood stream. The radioactive material then sticks to your red blood cells. A special (Gamma) camera positioned over you chest captures the images of your heart.

Your heart rate will be monitored during the procedure. The Gamma camera will acquire data based on the tagged red blood cells and your heart rate. From this data, a computer will calculate the blood volume pumped through the left ventricle of your heart (called the Ejection Fraction).

The pictures will be taken while you are lying on a table under the Gamma camera. You must lie still while the data is being collected.

Results

Our radiologist will study your examination and a report will be forwarded to your practitioner, from whom you may obtain the results. If you have any questions regarding this procedure, please contact our department at at 608-342-4745.

Your Appointment

The radiology department will call you the day before the test to notify you with the time of your appointment. If you cannot be reached before 10 pm the test will be cancelled.

Date of appointment _______________________________________ 

Your procedure will be performed at Southwest Health at 1400 Eastside Road – Platteville, WI 53818. Please use the Main Hospital Entrance and check in at the Registration Desk prior to your scheduled procedure.

If you cannot keep your appointment please contact the radiology department at 608-342-4745 so that me may accommodate another patient.

NOTE: It may take 2-3 days to obtain verification from your insurance company for exams that require prior authorization, such as CT, MRI, Nuclear Stress, Injections, etc.