Nuclear ventriculography

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Heart, front view

MUGA test

Nuclear ventriculography is a test that uses radioactive materials called tracers to make heart chambers and blood vessels visible. The procedure is non-invasive. The heart structures are not touched by instruments.

Cardiac blood pooling imaging; Heart scan - nuclear; Radionuclide ventriculography (RNV); Multiple gate acquisition scan (MUGA)

A radioactive isotope called technetium is injected into your vein. Radioactive isotopes attach to red blood cells and pass through the heart in the circulating blood. The radioactive isotope can be traced through the heart using special cameras or scanners. The images may be combined with an electrocardiogram.

You will be tested when you are resting, then tested again with exercise or after you take certain medications.

You may be told not to eat or drink beverages containing caffeine or alcohol for several hours before the test.

You may feel a brief sting or pinch when the IV is inserted. You may have trouble staying still during the test.

The test will show how well the blood is pumping through the heart, and will check for clogged arteries.

Review Date: 05/01/2005
Reviewed By: Fabian Arnaldo, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.