MUGA

A MUGA, or multigated acquisition scan (also called equilibrium radionuclide angiogram (RNV) or blood pool scan) is a diagnostic test used to evaluate the pumping function of the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart). During the test, a small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into a vein, so it does require an “IV” or small intravenous line.  A special camera, called a gamma camera, detects the radiation released by the tracer to produce computer-generated movie images of the beating heart.  This is very useful information in a number of settings, which may include having a history of heart damage of any kind, or also for monitoring the heart health during certain kinds of medical treatments, particularly cancer chemotherapy.