MUGA Scan, question on INR for AL

[LUVMyBirman]

Well, wish me luck. Tomorrow is the day for the scan to see where my EF stands. I know one thing for certain, they assured me. I do not need more surgery at this point. Anything other than that should be a breeze. My main concern is where this test will land my INR.

" A small amount of blood will be drawn from your arm and mixed with an imaging agent. After a 20 minute period, your blood will be reinjected back into your blood stream
" Ok this is where I question my INR.

Your heart rate will be monitored during the procedure. The Gamma camera will acquire data based on the tagged red blood cells and your heart rate. From this data, the computer will calculate the blood volume pumped through the left ventricle of your heart (Ejection Fraction).

The pictures will be taken while you are lying on a table under the Gamma camera. You must lie still while the data is being collected. A physician will interpret the data and evaluate how efficiently the left ventricle is pumping the blood.

Sounds like loads of fun. They also tell me it is no worse than a chest xray as from a radiation standpoint.

 

[Rick W]

Hi Gina.
Can your doctor tell you what affect this will have on your INR? As I see it, you have an advantage being a person who home tests. Maybe that can be your best consolation in this matter.
Rick

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Thanks Rick. It's always a shot in the dark as to how things effect our INR. In all honesty, when doctors have added or subtracted meds in the past....they were not overly concerned that the INR could vary. I have been told on many occasion "don't worry it won't effect your INR".

Reality, when those words were mentiond....I had a time of it. As you stated, I have the upper hand with the home testing. I will do so 48 hours after the test and post my results for all interested. Tested at 3.2 Monday. As long is it does not go south, I will be happy.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

3.2 Monday 4.0 today. No change is dose. And they told me the scan would not effect my levels. Guess they were wrong. I have been on the same dose for two years now.