Equilibrium Radionuclide Ventriculography (Muga)

Indication

• This noninvasive procedure permits the evaluation of cardiac function in every type of cardiac disease and the results of barium therapeutic interventions may be assessed.

Radiopharmaceutical

• 15-25 mCi 99m Tc red blood cells tagged in-vivo

Patient Preparation

• Consideration should be given to discontinuing medications such as propranolol 48 hrs; nitroglycerin 2 hrs; and digoxin 7 days, which affect ventricular performance and therefore potentially mask abnormalities when clinically not contraindicated.

Contraindications

• Atrial fibrillation

Procedure

• Intravenously inject the patient with appropriate amount of cold pyrophosphate.
• Twenty minutes after cold pyrophosphate injection, 25 mCi of 99m technetium is injected intravenously.
• Attach a three-lead ECG gate and electrodes to the patient. Be sure the gate is triggering the computer before proceeding.