MUGA Scan results

Quick backdrop....I am a 31 year old (female) National Ranked long distance runner, recently experiencing some irregular heartbeats  - epecially after exercise - despite hydration etc...

Cardiologist initally conducted an echo which showed EF of 45-50%. My Dr. felt this was way off due to my being a runner so we did a MUGA. I was never told my exact number but was informed by the office all was fine. I like to quantify "fine".

I had a copy of the results faxed to me and it shows three different numbers so I am not sure how to calculation my EF number - maybe an average of all three or is one view more critical then another?

Left Ventricular EF readiing;
Anterior View - 75%
Lateral View - 90%
Anterior Oblique View - 49%

What might I call my EF based on these numbers?
Thank you.

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

I'll bet we have some mutual friends.  I am a few years older than you but was also a national class runner for the University of Notre Dame in the early 90's.  Did you run in college/what school -- if you don't mind me asking.

Echo's can be very difficult to read in young athletes for many reasons.  They tend to have a slightly larger right ventricle and the heart beat at rest can appear slightly less active or contractile but increases normally with exercise.  

The assessment of heart function in echo and muga is a combination of all the clinical information/views.  It is not uncommon for a heart function to look abnormal in one view but be normal in all the other views.

I understand your concerns about heart function in light of recent events.  If you feel like your questions aren't being answered, a second opinion might help.

Does this answer your question?