Ross Procedure

Ross Procedure:

This procedure is named after Dr. Donald Ross - a pioneer in cardiac surgery in the UK and also called as pulmonary auto graft. It is a cardiac surgery where in the diseased aortic valve is replaced with the persons own pulmonary valve. The pulmonary homograft is used to replace the patient's own pulmonary valve, this is the choice in infants and children, but the use in adults is still controversial.

Advantages:

• Free from thromboembolism and anticoagulation is not necessary
• The Valve replaced grows with the patient
• Hemodynamic is favorable
• The valve doesn’t have any foreign material

Disadvantages:

Both aortic and pulmonary valve are treated for single valve disease

Risks of the Ross Procedure:

The Ross Procedure is a major surgical operation and certain complications may occur. The primary risks are stroke, heart attack, bleeding, infection, breathing problems, drug reactions, and blood reactions. These risks are in small percentage of patients undergoing heart surgery. Your surgeon will discuss all the risks before surgery.

After Ross Procedure:

Once the Ross procedure is done the patient will be kept in Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, were in the special staff will monitor patient through system which evaluates the heart rate, rhythm, and vital signs. Medications will be given to control for pain, nausea, and constipation.

Alternative valve replacement:

• Tissue valves
• Mechanical valves
• Valve selection

Tissue valves:

This is usually made from animal tissues either animal heart valve or pericardial tissue, in fact this prevents rejection and calcification.

Mechanical valves:

This is designed to outlast the patient, these are long-lasting and generally only one surgery is needed. However there is a risk of blood clotting. The recipients must take anti-coagulant (blood thinning) drugs for the rest of their lives, which makes the patient more prone to bleeding. Warfarin is the traditional drug used as an anti-coagulant.

Selection of valve:

Tissue valves tend to wear out faster and last for 10-15 years in less active (typically elderly) patients, but wear out faster in younger patients which is the reason mechanical valve is recommended for younger patients.