MUGA scan
Pronunciation: MUH-gah
Also written as: MUGA — multi-gated acquisition
Multi-gated acquisition scan, a nuclear imaging technique that uses radioactive tracers to assess cardiac function and calculate ejection fraction.
Full Definition
A multi-gated acquisition (MUGA) scan, also known as a radionuclide ventriculography or blood pool scan, is a nuclear medicine test that uses radioactive tracers to evaluate cardiac function. The procedure involves injecting technetium-99m-labeled red blood cells and using a gamma camera to create images synchronized with the ECG throughout multiple cardiac cycles. MUGA scans provide accurate and reproducible measurements of left and right ventricular ejection fraction, regional wall motion, and cardiac volumes. The test is particularly useful for monitoring cardiotoxicity in patients receiving chemotherapy agents such as doxorubicin. MUGA scans are considered the gold standard for ejection fraction measurement in many oncology protocols due to their high reproducibility and accuracy.
Usage
Usage note: Particularly important in oncology for monitoring chemotherapy-related cardiac toxicity.
In Context
- "MUGA scan revealed an ejection fraction of 35%, indicating significant systolic dysfunction." — nuclear medicine report
- "Serial MUGA scans were performed to monitor for doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy." — oncology follow-up note