Ross Procedure (from baby to adult)

The Ross procedure involves placement of the patient’s pulmonary valve in the aortic position and replacement of the pulmonary valve with a pulmonary homograft. The Ross procedure has been the operation of choice for aortic valve disease in children. There is increasing evidence in the literature now that it is also becoming the operation of choice in young and middle-aged adults where numerous reports document a clear survival advantage. The procedure is performed by selected congenital or adult cardiac surgeons with an interest in the procedure. In an otherwise healthy adult, 50 years of age or less, without co-morbidities or with an interest in physical activity, the Ross procedure should be strongly considered. Adult cardiologists should be aware of these well-documented advantages in the current TAVR era.

Topics Discussed:
• Brief explanation of the operation
• Main advantages of the Ross procedure
• The place of the Ross operation in the era of TAVR