Ross procedure

The operation is particularly indicated in aortic valve pathologies (aortic stenosis; aortic insufficiency) especially in newborns and young children. Other patients who can benefit from the Ross procedure are patients who have a contraindication to the mechanical prosthesis, young women who have to give birth, patients undergoing multiple aortic valve replacements and in cases of endocarditis on a prosthesis or on a native aortic valve.

The surgery is conducted under extracorporeal circulation and involves operating on the open heart. Surgeons begin by cannulating the inferior vena cava and aorta, initiating extracorporeal circulation while examining the pulmonary artery for proper anatomy. After clamping the aorta and administering cardioplegia to stop the heart, they open the aorta to assess the aortic valve for repair. If repair isn't viable, the valve is removed, and the coronary arteries are detached from the aortic wall. Samples are then taken from the pulmonary artery before its branches bifurcate. The prepared pulmonary autograft is reimplanted as the new aorta, followed by reimplantation of the coronary arteries. Reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract involves implanting a pulmonary homograft from a deceased donor. Once the aorta is unclamped and extracorporeal circulation ceases, four temporary epicardial electrodes are implanted.