Have you ever heard the words `(MUGA Scan)`? Maybe your doctor has advised you to have this test. Or maybe you have heard that a friend or family member has had to have this kind of `(scan)`. What exactly is this `(MUGA Scan)`? What can it detect? Is it something to be afraid of? Today we will talk about all this very simply, in a way that you can understand.
What is this `(MUGA Scan)`?
Simply put, a MUGA scan is a special imaging test that looks at how well your heart is pumping blood. Think of it like looking at how your heart is working, how the blood is moving around when the heart muscle contracts and relaxes (i.e. when resting or exercising).
To do this, they inject a small amount of a chemical called a radioactive isotope (radionuclide) into your body. Then, a special camera takes pictures of your heart. The pictures are taken as the chemical travels through your heart with your blood. This is called something else, for example, Radionuclide Ventriculography (RNVG) and Equilibrium Radionuclide Angiocardiography (ERNA). The names are a little complicated, but they do the same thing.
What exactly can be checked with a MUGA Scan?
This `(MUGA Scan)` mainly measures your heart's `Ejection Fraction (EF) . Now you might be wondering what this `(EF)` means.
It's very simple. Your heart beats once, contracts, and pumps some blood out. At that time, what percentage of the total blood volume inside the heart is pumped out is called ``EF''.
For example, if your EF is 70%, it means that when your heart contracts, it pumps out 70% of the total blood volume. A healthy person's EF is usually between 50% and 75%.
In what cases is a MUGA Scan performed?
If a doctor asks you to have a MUGA Scan, there may be several reasons for it.
The main reason is if you don't have a heart attack, but you have symptoms of heart failure . This means that your heart is unable to pump blood properly. In this case, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Chest pain or tightness that feels like angina.
- Feeling dizzy all the time.
- Feeling very tired and exhausted.
- Difficulty breathing, which comes as dyspnea.
- Swelling in areas such as the hands, feet, and ankles (edema).
If you have symptoms like these, your doctor may order a scan to see exactly how well your heart is pumping.
Another important time is before or after cancer treatment . Some cancer treatments, for example:
- When doing a bone marrow transplant.
- When taking chemotherapy.
- When taking immunotherapy.
- When radiation therapy is given to the chest area.
These types of treatments can sometimes cause minor damage to the heart. A MUGA scan is very useful in determining the extent of the damage and whether it has affected the functioning of the heart.
What is the difference between a `(MUGA Scan)` and an `(Echo test)`?
You've probably heard of an ``Echo test'' and an ``Echocardiogram.'' Both of these take pictures of the heart's beating and pumping blood.
But there's a slight difference. An echo test uses ultrasound waves to take pictures of your heart by rubbing a small device called a transducer over your chest. It's like a scan of a baby in the womb.
But a MUGA scan is a nuclear imaging test . That means it uses the aforementioned radioactive substance, a radiotracer. Some doctors say that a MUGA scan can measure the heart's Ejection Fraction (EF) more accurately than an echo test.
How does this `(MUGA Scan)` work?
The way it works is very simple. A MUGA scan uses a small radioactive chemical called Technetium-99m-pertechnetate (Tc-99m) .
Don't be scared when you hear this name, okay? It's a very small amount, and it's used in a way that won't harm your body.
The doctor or technician will inject a small amount of this chemical called `(Tc-99m)` into your vein. This chemical will attach to your red blood cells (the cells that carry oxygen). Then, as your heart beats, a special camera will take pictures of how this `(Tc-99m)` travels throughout your body, especially through your heart.
How should we prepare before a MUGA Scan?
Your doctor will give you some special instructions before this `(scan)`. It is very important to follow those instructions exactly. Usually:
- You will be asked to refrain from eating or drinking for about six hours before the test.
- You may also be asked to avoid drinking anything that contains caffeine (coffee, tea, some types of chocolate) . This is because caffeine can increase your heart rate, which can affect the results of the scan.
- You should tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking . Some heart medications, such as nitrates (e.g., Nitrostat®, NitroMist®) and digoxin (e.g., Digitek®, Lanoxin®), may need to be stopped a few days before the scan. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even vitamins.
What happens during a MUGA Scan?
This ``MUGA Scan'' can usually take about one to three hours to perform. So keep in mind that it will take some time.
During the scan, you will lie still on an examination table. A special camera will be placed over your chest. Then, a technician will do the following:
- They attach several electrodes to your chest. These measure your heart's activity, that is, your heart rate. It's like putting little stickers on your chest, like when you get an ECG.
- Then the radioactive substance (radiotracer) is injected into your vein.
- Next, they take pictures of your heart from different angles.
Sometimes, while the images are being taken, you may be asked to do a little exercise. For example, you may be asked to walk on a treadmill or do some other light exercise. This is to see how your heart works and pumps blood when it is under a little stress.
What do you do after a MUGA Scan?
The good news is that you can resume your normal activities immediately after the MUGA Scan. You can even drive.
However, they will tell you to drink plenty of water on the day of the test and the day after. This is to help the radioactive material that was injected into your body leave your body quickly.
Is there any risk in this `(MUGA Scan)`?
For most people, this ``MUGA Scan`` is very safe . The radioactive material used, ``radiotracer``, is actually not harmful. It usually completely leaves your body within 24 hours.
However, if you are pregnant, think you might be, or are a breastfeeding mother , you should definitely tell the doctor before doing this. Because, usually, this `(scan)` is not done for such people. Because it can be harmful to the baby.
What can be learned from the results of a MUGA scan?
The MUGA scan mainly measures your Ejection Fraction (EF). Remember, normally EF should be between 50% and 75%.
So, if your EF is less than 50% or more than 75% , it could indicate that there is something wrong with your heart.
Once the scan results are in, your doctor will discuss this with you in detail. He or she will explain to you what to do next and what treatment may be needed based on the results.
What else do you want to ask the doctor?
If you are going to have a MUGA scan, you can ask the doctor these questions after the scan and when they are discussing the results. That way, you will have a better understanding of the matter.
- Why do I need to have this `(MUGA Scan)`?
- How long does it take to do this `(MUGA Scan)`?
- What special preparations do I need to make before this?
- What are the benefits of having this `(MUGA Scan)`?
- What do the test results say?
- What should I do next after the MUGA Scan?
Asking these questions can help you feel more confident about the entire process.
So, a few final things to remember
So, from what we've discussed today, I hope you've gotten a good idea of what a MUGA Scan is. In short:
- A MUGA scan is a special test that checks how well your heart is pumping blood .
- This is especially helpful in cases where the heart's function is thought to be impaired, such as in heart failure, or to see if the heart has been affected by things like cancer treatment.
- This is nothing to be afraid of, and is usually a test that can be done in an outpatient department without having to stay in the hospital.
- In most cases , you can go about your normal activities on the same day as the test.
If you want to know anything more about a `(MUGA Scan)`, don't be afraid to ask your doctor. He will explain everything to you. Stay healthy!
` MUGA scan, heart disease, ejection fraction, heart function, radioactive materials, cancer treatment, heart tests
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