Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction epidemiology and demographics

Associate Editor-In-Chief: Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S.

Epidemiology and demographics
Among cardiac malformations, valvular defects accoun for 25% of all malformations involving the myocardium. Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction represents 8-12% of all congenital heart defects in children and 15% of all congenital heart defects in adults. Isolated pulmonic valvular stenosis with intact ventricular septum is the second most common congenital cardiac defect.

Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction secondary to rheumatic fever is rare and it seldom causes serious pulmonic valvular deformity. It usually may occur in association with the pulmonary hypertension that occurs at high altitudes. The prevalence of rheumatic disease in developed nations is steadily declining. While developing countries have higher rates of rheumatic fever and subsequently mitral stenosis with prevalence of more than 10 cases per 1,000 in India and 4-10 cases per 1,000 in China, Russia, Africa and Australia

Race
Prevalence of pulmonary stenosis does not differ significantly with race.

Sex
Prevalence of right ventricular outflow tract is equal among males and females.

Age
Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction usually occurs in newborn. However, the age at presentation depends on the severity of the obstruction with many patients with mild obstruction presenting at adolescence or adulthood.