Think of your heart as a water pump. Its main job is to pump blood throughout the body. So, a special test that measures this pumping efficiency, that is, how well the heart is working, is called a MUGA scan. This name may be new to you. So today, let's talk about it simply, in a way that you can understand.
What is a MUGA scan?
Simply put, a MUGA scan is a special imaging test that evaluates, or precisely measures, how well your heart is pumping blood. It involves injecting a very small amount of a radioactive substance called a ``radionuclide'' into one of your veins. Then, using a special camera, pictures of your heart are taken as this substance travels through your heart with your blood.
This test can give you a clear picture of how your heart muscle contracts and relaxes when you are at rest and during exercise. Other names for this test are `radionuclide ventriculography (RNVG)` and `equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography (ERNA)`.
What exactly does this scan show?
The main thing this measures is your Ejection Fraction (EF) . Now you might be wondering what EF is.
Imagine your heart filling with blood, then it contracts (squeezes) and pumps that blood out into the body. What we call EF is the percentage of the total amount of blood in the heart that is pumped out during each contraction.
For example, if your EF is 70%, it means that when your heart fills with blood and pumps once, it pumps 70% of the total blood volume to the body. A healthy person's normal EF is between 50% and 75%.
When is a MUGA scan needed?
Your doctor may recommend this test if you have symptoms of heart failure. Heart failure is when the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently. The table below lists some of the common symptoms that can occur during this time.
| Symptom | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Chest pain (Angina) | A squeezing pain that occurs when the heart is not getting enough oxygen. |
| Dizziness | It can be caused by decreased blood flow to the brain. |
| Feeling tired quickly | You feel tired all the time because your body's cells don't get the oxygen and nutrients they need. |
| Difficulty breathing (Dyspnea) | Fluid accumulation in the lungs makes it difficult to breathe even with small tasks. |
| Swelling of hands or feet (Edema) | Fluid accumulation in the body's tissues causes swelling, especially in the legs and ankles. |
Also, your doctor may order this test before or after some cancer treatments. This is because some cancer treatments can damage the heart. Some of these treatments include:
- Bone marrow transplant
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation therapy to the chest
What is the difference between a MUGA scan and an Echo test?
Both of these tests provide imaging information about the functioning of the heart, but the methods are different.
- Echocardiogram: This test uses sound waves, similar to an ultrasound scan of a pregnant woman's baby. The pictures are taken by a doctor as he moves a special device (transducer) over your chest.
- MUGA scan: This is a nuclear imaging test. It uses a radioactive tracer.
The most important thing is that a MUGA scan can often provide a more accurate EF value than an Echo test.
How should you prepare before the test?
Your doctor will give you specific instructions before this test. It is very important to follow those instructions exactly. In general, these include:
- Avoid eating or drinking for about six hours before the test.
- Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, some soft drinks) for a few hours before the test, as caffeine can increase your heart rate and affect the test results.
- Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking . Some heart medications (such as nitrates or digoxin) may need to be stopped a day or two before the test.
What happens during the test?
The entire process can take anywhere from one to three hours. During this time, you will lie down on an examination table and a special camera will be placed over your chest. Then, a technician will follow these steps:
1. Several electrodes (stickers like those used for an ECG) will be placed on your chest. These will measure the electrical activity of your heart.
2. The previously mentioned radioactive substance ``(radiotracer)`` is injected into one of your veins.
3. The camera takes pictures of your heart from different angles.
Sometimes, you will be asked to do some exercise while the pictures are being taken. For example , walking on a treadmill . This is done to see how your heart responds to stress.
What happens after the test?
The good news is that you can resume your normal activities, including driving, as soon as the test is over. But remember one thing: Drink plenty of fluids, including water , for a day or two after the test. This will help the radioactive material leave your body quickly.
Is there any risk in this?
A MUGA scan is a very safe test for most people. The amount of radioactive material injected is very small, so it is not harmful. And it is usually completely eliminated from the body within 24 hours.
However, if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding, you should definitely tell your doctor about this , as this test is not usually recommended in such cases.
Things to ask your doctor
If you have any more questions about this test, don't be afraid to ask your doctor. You can ask things like:
- Why do I need a MUGA scan?
- How long does this test take?
- Is there anything I need to do specifically to prepare for the test?
- What are the benefits of this test?
- What does the investigation report say?
- What are my next steps after this test?
Take-Home Message
- A MUGA scan is a highly accurate imaging test that measures your heart's blood-pumping efficiency (EF).
- It is used to diagnose conditions like heart disease and to monitor heart health during cancer treatment.
- In this, a very small amount of radioactive material is injected into the body, which is harmless and is eliminated from the body within a day.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any other medications, be sure to inform your doctor before the test.
- Your doctor will explain the results of the test and any future steps you need to take.
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