MUGA v Echocardiogram

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1

Hi all, I’m starting Herceptin soon and am booked in for an Echocardiogram. I’m wondering why everyone else seems to be talking about MUGA scans and scores and what the difference is.

2

Hi Cryst,

I think it depends on what equipment your hospital has. Both are acceptable ways of measuring your heart function during herceptin. Echocardiographs started being used back in the 50s, and MUGAs in the early 60s. These days MUGAs are considered the gold standard but I believe that not all experts agree with this.
An echocardiogram looks at how the heart is working by tracing the electrical pattern the heartbeat makes (very much like having an ultrasound done). A MUGA scan is done by injecting a radioactive dye into a patient’s bloodstream and watching their heart on an x-ray screen to see how well it is working. The important thing throughout herceptin is to know what your baseline LVEF is (measured before you start on the drug) and then checking regularly at 3 monthly intervals to make sure the drug is not affecting your heart.

dawnhc

3

Hi Chryst
I am having second echocardiogram next week.You will have dye injected with this and it is like an ultrasound,it looks at heart functions,and they have it up on screen to trace.

Good luck

Mary
x

4

I have had two echocardiograms and do not have any dye injected. I lie on my side and have gel applied to my skin and an ultrasound done. I have an electrocardiogram done at the same time - where they put the little discs onto your chest.

xxx

5

Many thanks everyone, that’s helped a lot, now I’ll wait and see what happens…

6

Hi again
I have read the letter from hospital and I am having a Contrast Echocardiogram(ultrasound)
it says;
A needle will be inserted to your arm and the contrast agent will be injected through this.The contrast agent helps define the borders of the heart and will aid the doctor in his report.

Take Care

Mary
xx

7

I had the echocardiogram before chemo, but was sent to my local hospital for MUGA scans when I was on Herceptin. I used to find it quite relaxing as they closed the blinds and put a CD on, I would have a little nap for 20 minutes and wake up quite refreshed! Wasn’t keen on the injections though as my veins are pants to say the least.