Left Atrial Systolic Force in Children: Reference Values for Normal Children and Changes in Cardiovascular Disease With Left Ventricular Volume Overload or Pressure Overload

The present study provides reference data for the evaluation of atrial function in pediatric patients with cardiac disease. In addition, altered LASF in patients with VSDs with even small left-to-right shunts and in those with COA even after anatomic correction may have pathologic implications that could lead to a novel therapeutic target.