Exams and Tests

What types of heart tests might you receive before beginning your cancer treatment? Tests may include:

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a picture of your heart's electrical activity. Some cancer treatment makes certain measurements on an ECG change so you may have more than one ECG during treatment. An ECG can detect abnormal heart rhythms, called arrhythmias.

Studies to Measure Ejection Fraction

In many ways, your heart is a muscle like those in your arms or legs. The muscle of your heart is in the left ventricle. Every time your heart beats, it is expected that a certain amount of blood is pushed out of your left ventricle to the rest of your body with each heartbeat: This is called your ejection fraction. In general, an ejection fraction of 55% or more is considered normal.

Some cancer treatments can lower your ejection fraction, which can cause symptoms of heart failure. If you have had chemotherapy or radiation in the area of the heart, you may receive several echocardiograms during treatment, for years after treatment or both. It's important to note that you also could have symptoms of heart failure even if your ejection fraction is normal. Tests for ejection fraction:

• Echocardiogram
• Multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan (involves your receiving a radioactive solution given through a vein using an intravenous (IV) line and then having an X-ray taken)
• Cardiac MRI

Cardiac Catheterization

During a cardiac catheterization, a thin tube or catheter is guided into an artery, usually in the wrist or leg, and up to the heart. The catheter is guided up to the heart where the heart arteries are. Using a contrast dye, blood flow in the heart arteries can be examined.