The Ross procedure was first introduced by Donald Ross. It propagated the use of a patient’s own pulmonary valve to replace his or her damaged aortic valve. The patient’s pulmonary valve is similarly shaped and can usually be exchanged with the damaged aortic valve.
What are the aortic and pulmonary valves ?
The aortic valve and the pulmonary valve are the two semilunar (SL) valves, which separate the heart and the arteries leaving the heart. The aortic valve separates the left ventricle from the aorta (the main blood vessel of the heart supplying oxygen and nutrients to the whole of the body) and the pulmonary valve separates the right ventricle from the pulmonary artery (blood supply going to the lungs). The Ross and Ross-Konno procedures have become good treatment options for children and adolescents with aortic valve disease.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Ross procedure ?
This procedure utilizes the patient’s own living valves with positive hemodynamic characteristics and shows a relatively less risk for endocarditis, with low thrombogenicity, and avoids anticoagulant therapy. Additionally, the autograft size also increases as the child grows. Conversely, the disadvantages include this procedure being a surgically demanding operation, and both the autograft in the aortic position and the pulmonary valve substitute showing structural failure over time, necessitating the problem of reoperation.
What happens to the pulmonary valve after the exchange ?
The pulmonary valve is to be replaced with a donor valve.
Why does the Ross procedure work ?
The basic principle is that the pulmonary valve is typically under less stress as the right pumping chamber does not need to generate that much force to push blood to the lungs. Consequently, a replacement valve will definitely succeed more in the pulmonary position as demand on this valve is less. The pulmonary valve after being moved into the position of the aortic valve can continue to grow in a child who is yet to grow, and can also handle the high blood flow from the left pumping chamber out to the body.
How to find and reach heart surgeons for Ross procedure ?
Now you can find and reach heart surgeons from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions and information from multiple heart surgeons, get cost estimates for Ross procedure from different heart hospitals, compare things and then choose a heart surgeon for Ross procedure.
Find, reach and choose a heart surgeon for Ross procedure on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
