Nuclear Multiple Gated Acquisition (MUGA) Scan

To begin, our nuclear medicine technologist will take you to an exam room to explain the procedure and answer any questions. We will then place an intravenous (IV) line through a vein in your arm and take a small amount of blood. The technician will tag this blood with a safe, radioactive tracer (Technetium-99M) and inject the blood back into your body. They will then remove your IV line.

Next, you will visit the imaging room. A technician will use gel to place three small plastic pads on your chest that connects to the electrocardiogram (EKG) monitor to measure the electrical signals from your heart. For men, we may need to shave small areas to remove chest hair and ensure the pads stick. We will also take a baseline blood pressure reading.

During the imaging session, you will lie flat on your back on a table with both arms resting above your head. Nuclear cameras will slowly move around your chest for about 30 minutes. It is very important for you to lie as still as possible during the imaging session. Normal breathing is fine.

After the test, we will remove the EKG pads. We will send a copy of the report to your referring doctor.

The complete process for the nuclear MUGA test will take about an hour. You have no food or drink restrictions for this test. To prepare for your test, you should:

• Bring or wear loose, comfortable clothing. Avoid wearing a dress or full slip.
• Talk to your doctor and reschedule your test if you are pregnant, may be pregnant or are a nursing mother.

If you need to cancel or reschedule the test, please call us at (321) 841-6444 at least 48 hours before the appointment time.

If you do not show up for the appointment, or you do not give 48 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule, you may be charged a fee of up to $200 to cover the cost of the medicine ordered for your test.