Which imaging technique assesses blood pooling in the heart during rest and exercise?

The imaging technique that assesses blood pooling in the heart during rest and exercise is a MUGA scan, which stands for Multi Gated Acquisition Scan. This test is particularly effective because it uses a radioactive tracer to visualize the heart's chambers and their function. During a MUGA scan, images are taken to evaluate how well the heart is pumping blood, allowing for analysis of the heart's left and right ventricular functions in real-time.

The MUGA scan is unique as it provides precise information on the heart's ejection fraction, which is a critical measurement in cardiology to assess the heart's efficiency in pumping blood. Additionally, it can accurately reflect changes in heart performance during different states such as rest and exercise. This capability is essential in diagnosing various cardiac conditions and tailoring appropriate treatment plans.

Other imaging techniques listed do not provide the same dynamic assessment of blood pooling and ventricular function during both rest and exercise. While ultrasounds can give images of heart structure and function, they aren't as specific for blood pooling analysis. X-rays primarily provide structural images rather than functional assessments of blood flow, and CT scans are more focused on detailed images of anatomy rather than the real-time assessment of cardiac function like a MUGA scan.