Ross procedure

Ross Procedure

The Ross Procedure is a type of cardiac surgery that involves the replacement of a patient's diseased aortic valve with their own pulmonary valve. This procedure was first performed by Donald Ross in 1967 and has since been used as a treatment option for various heart valve diseases.

History

The Ross Procedure was first performed by British surgeon Donald Ross in 1967. Ross was a pioneer in the field of cardiac surgery, and his innovative procedure offered a new treatment option for patients with aortic valve disease.

Procedure

The Ross Procedure involves the removal of the patient's diseased aortic valve. The surgeon then removes the patient's healthy pulmonary valve and transplants it into the position of the aortic valve. A homograft (valve from a donor) is then used to replace the patient's pulmonary valve.

The advantage of this procedure is that the transplanted pulmonary valve can grow with the patient, making it an ideal option for children or young adults who need aortic valve replacement. Furthermore, because the replacement valve is the patient's own tissue, there is no need for lifelong anticoagulation therapy.

Risks and Complications

Like all surgeries, the Ross Procedure carries some risks. These include the standard risks associated with any major surgery, such as infection, bleeding, and reactions to anesthesia. Specific to the Ross Procedure, there is a risk of failure of the transplanted pulmonary valve, which may require further surgery.

See Also

• Heart valve repair
• Aortic valve replacement
• Cardiac surgery
• Donald Ross

References

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  Diagram of the human heart