Muga Scan

This exam shows how much blood the heart is pumping and how well the walls of the heart are contracting.

Preparation

  • Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment with an order/prescription if your doctor has given one to you.
  • Bring a list of current medications.

Procedure

  • An I.V. will be started.
  • Your red blood cells with be “tagged” with a radioactive tracer. This is done in one of two ways. By drawing a small amount of blood and mixing it with a binding agent. Once the cells are bound to the agent, they are mixed with the radioactive tracer and re-injected into your I.V. OR, by injecting the binding agent through your I.V., waiting a small period of time, and then injecting the radioactive tracer.
  • A total 20 to 30 minute incubation period is required during which the tagging of the red blood cells occurs.
  • The heart is then imaged under a gamma camera for approximately 30 minutes.
  • Total exam time is up to 90 minutes.

After the procedure

  • You will follow up with ordering doctor.

Considerations

  • If you are pregnant or suspect you may be, contact your referring doctor.
  • Tell the technologist if you are planning to travel out of the country.
  • For Macomb patients: Please note that our Nuclear Medicine equipment has a table weight limit of 500 lbs.
Take the next step

Choose a location and schedule an appointment.

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