What is the initial step in the Ultra Tag method for a MUGA tag?

The initial step in the Ultra Tag method for a MUGA (Multi-Gated Acquisition) scan involves collecting blood with an anticoagulant, such as heparin. This is crucial because heparin prevents the blood sample from clotting, allowing for the effective tagging of red blood cells with a radiopharmaceutical. If the blood were to clot, it would hinder the tagging process and subsequently affect the quality of the imaging results.

Collecting blood with heparin ensures that the red blood cells remain in a usable state for the subsequent steps, which typically include transferring the blood into a reaction vial and adding sodium pertechnetate for tagging. This meticulous process is essential for achieving accurate and reliable results in nuclear medicine procedures involving cardiac function assessment.