A Multiple Gated Acquisition (MUGA) scan, a non-invasive nuclear medicine procedure, assesses the heart’s function by evaluating its pumping ability. A typical outcome reveals regular left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), a measurement representing the percentage of blood ejected with each heartbeat. This typically falls within a range of 50% to 75%, indicating healthy cardiac output. The scan also assesses wall motion, ensuring all segments of the left ventricle contract uniformly and effectively. Furthermore, a standard result shows regular heart rate and rhythm, confirming the heart’s electrical system operates correctly.
Accurate evaluation of cardiac performance is critical for diagnosing and managing various heart conditions. This type of scan provides valuable data for assessing the impact of treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, known to potentially affect heart function. Its development in the 1970s represented a significant advancement in cardiology, offering a safe and effective method to quantify heart function without invasive procedures. This allows for early detection of abnormalities and facilitates timely intervention, significantly impacting patient outcomes.