Resting MUGA Scans

A resting MUGA scan (gated blood pool imaging) uses an ECG machine while imaging your heart. The result of the scans is a movie of your beating heart, which will allow your physician to assess how well it is pumping blood.

When you arrive for your appointment, you will receive an injection that will allow the radioactive tracer to "hook" into your blood. About 20 to 30 minutes after this injection, a small vial of blood is withdrawn and allowed to mix with a radioactive tracer. About ten minutes later, your blood, with the radioactive tracer, is injected back into your body. Then, four images of your heart will be taken. Each image takes five to 10 minutes to create, so you can plan on the entire procedure taking 60 to 90 minutes.

Preparation

• Bring a complete list of your medications to your appointment.
• You may continue taking medications as your physician directs.
• You may eat your usual diet.
• Remember to bring the written order (prescription), for this test, given to you by your doctor.

Precautions

• Patients of childbearing age should review the pregnancy and breastfeeding guidelines.