Myocardial perfusion imaging, also called cardiac SPECT (single proton emission computed tomography) is the most commonly used nuclear cardiology test. It helps identify where the heart muscle has inadequate blood supply, determine where there is limited blood flow, give information about the heart’s pumping action, measure the amount of scarring from a heart attack and evaluate the effectiveness of coronary bypass surgery or angioplasty. It is an active, functional test that displays images of the heart while at rest and at work. 

MUGA (Multiple Gated Acquisition scan), also called radionuclide angiography, is an EKG-gated test that evaluates the left and right ventricles. The test measures the amount of blood the left ventricle pumps with each heartbeat – the ejection fraction. This test is one of the most important measures of the heart’s performance. The right ventricle is also assessed for its ejection fracture to see if there are any abnormalities. The test can be performed at rest or with the patient exercising, called a Stress MUGA, which is used more in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

Myocardial perfusion imaging, also called cardiac SPECT (single proton emission computed tomography) is the most commonly used nuclear cardiology test. It helps identify where the heart muscle has inadequate blood supply, determine where there is limited blood flow, give information about the heart’s pumping action, measure the amount of scarring from a heart attack and evaluate the effectiveness of coronary bypass surgery or angioplasty. It is an active, functional test that displays images of the heart while at rest and at work. 

MUGA (Multiple Gated Acquisition scan), also called radionuclide angiography, is an EKG-gated test that evaluates the left and right ventricles. The test measures the amount of blood the left ventricle pumps with each heartbeat – the ejection fraction. This test is one of the most important measures of the heart’s performance. The right ventricle is also assessed for its ejection fracture to see if there are any abnormalities. The test can be performed at rest or with the patient exercising, called a Stress MUGA, which is used more in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.