MUGA Scan

A multiple-gated acquisition (MUGA) scan is an outpatient imaging test that looks at how well the heart’s left ventricle is pumping blood out to your body. The MUGA scan uses a small amount of radioactive material injected into a vein that stays in the blood long enough to see how your heart pumps blood in and out of the left ventricular chamber. The technologist will ask you to simply lie on an exam table of a scanner and will attach electrodes for an EKG. This test calculates your heart’s left ventricular ejection fraction, a measurement of how well your heart pumps blood with each beat. There is no special preparation required for this test and no medication or food restrictions. Feel free to call us if you have any questions regarding this exam.