title: Normal Databases for the Relative Quantification of Myocardial Perfusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with SPECT is performed clinically worldwide to detect and monitor coronary artery disease (CAD). MPI allows an objective quantification of myocardial perfusion at stress and rest. This established technique relies on normal databases to compare patient scans against reference normal limits. In this review, we aim to introduce the process of MPI quantification with normal databases and describe the associated perfusion quantitative measures that are used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  New equipment and new software reconstruction algorithms have been introduced which require the development of new normal limits. The appearance and regional count variations of normal MPI scan may differ between these new scanners and standard Anger cameras. Therefore, these new systems may require the determination of new normal limits to achieve optimal accuracy in relative myocardial perfusion quantification. Accurate diagnostic and prognostic results rivaling those obtained by expert readers can be obtained by this widely used technique.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Throughout this review, we emphasize the importance of the different normal databases and the need for specific databases relative to distinct imaging procedures. use of appropriate normal limits allows optimal quantification of MPI by taking into account subtle image differences due to the hardware and software used, and the population studied.
authors.affiliation: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rubeaux
authors.affiliation: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Germano
authors.affiliation: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Berman
authors.affiliation: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
authors.forename: Piotr J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Slomka
keywords: coronary artery disease; myocardial perfusion imaging; normal databases; single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)