Aortic coarctation epidemiology and demographics


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:, Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S.[mailto:psingh@perfuse.org]

Overview
Coarctation of the aorta is a common malformation. It occurs in about 7% of patients with congenital heart defects. It is more common in males than females with a ratio of 2:1. Up to 25% of patients with Turner syndrome have coarctation of the aorta. It is commoner in caucasians with approximately 7 times more cases in caucasians versus asian.

United States of America

 * Aortic coarctation is a common heart defect.
 * It forms approximately 6-10% of all congenital heart disease cases.
 * In live births, it accounts for approximately 5-7% of congenital heart disease in severely ill infants.

International

 * Prevalence are lower in Asian countries compared to American and European countries

Mortality

 * The mortality rate of aortic coarctation hinges primarily on the age of surgical intervention to repair the defect. Left untreated, less than 20% of untreated patients reach the age of 50. However, with surgical repair, mortality rates are far less severe.
 * If repaired by the age of 14, the mortality rate for 20 years out post-surgery is 9% (a 91% survival rate).
 * If repaired later than 14, the mortality rate is 11% (a 79% survival rate).
 * In expectant mothers with a coarctation of the aorta, the maternal mortality rate ranges between 3-8%. Even with repair, there is a risk of developing complications during pregnancy.

Race

 * Demographically, aortic coarctation has a certain link to specific races.
 * It is more common in Caucasians, with approximately 7 times more cases in Caucasians versus Asian.
 * The incidence has also been noted, in some populations, to be lower in Native American races than Caucasians.

Gender

 * It is more common in males than females with a ratio of 2:1 and a prevalence of 2-5 times occurring more frequently in males than females.

Age

 * The diagnosis is often missed in first year of life.
 * Generally, patients with coarctation of the aorta present early in life with congestive heart failure or later in life with hypertension.

Genetics

 * Aortic coarctation, like many congenital heart diseases, is more common in patients with other genetic conditions.
 * As many as 10-25% of patients with Turner syndrome have an accompanying coarctation of the aorta.

Cardiac

 * Bicuspid aortic valve (associated to 30-40% of all cases)
 * Ventricular septal defect
 * Patent ductus arteriosus
 * Mitral stenosis
 * Aortic valve stenosis
 * Aortic hypoplasia

Non-cardiac

 * Intracerebral aneurysm