Ross procedure
A cardiac surgical technique where the patient's pulmonary valve replaces a diseased aortic valve, and a donor pulmonary valve replaces the patient's pulmonary valve.
Full Definition
The Ross procedure is a complex cardiac surgical operation primarily used to treat aortic valve disease in younger patients. The procedure involves harvesting the patient's own pulmonary valve (autograft) and using it to replace the diseased aortic valve, while a donor pulmonary valve (homograft) replaces the patient's pulmonary valve. This technique is favored in younger patients because the autograft can grow with the patient and typically provides excellent hemodynamic performance. The procedure is technically demanding and requires expertise in both aortic and pulmonary valve surgery.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize 'Ross' as it is named after surgeon Donald Ross.
In Context
- "The 25-year-old patient with bicuspid aortic valve stenosis was considered an ideal candidate for the Ross procedure." — surgical case report
- "Long-term outcomes of the Ross procedure show excellent durability in pediatric populations." — medical literature review