Comparison of Ross procedures and aortic valve allografts in children

Background. The Ross procedure is useful, but at times an allograft valve is the only alternative to a mechanical aortic prosthesis. Since 1994 the Ross procedure or aortic allograft replacement has been used exclusively for aortic valve replacement at our institution. Methods. Demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic data of 23 consecutive Ross and 8 allograft patients were compared. Results. Groups were similar in age and weight. The Ross group had fewer prior operations. There were no deaths or major complications in either group. The Ross group had no late complications of the autograft but 1 reoperation for pulmonary allograft stenosis. In the allograft group there was one reoperation for allograft insufficiency. Echocardiography was performed 2 to 11 days (mean, 4.3 days) after operation and 1 to 28 months (mean, 10.2 months) later. In the Ross group left ventricular wall thickness (mm) decreased from 11.0 ± 2.3 to 7.8 ± 1.7 (p< 0.0001), and left ventricular outflow tract maximal systolic velocity (m/sec) decreased from 1.9 ± 0.6 to 1.4 ± 0.4 (p = 0.0001). In the allograft group left ventricular wall thickness (mm) decreased from 10.5 ± 2.6 to 9.0 ± 2.6 (not significant), and left ventricular outflow tract maximal systolic velocity (m/sec) increased from 1.5 ± 0.9 to 1.9 ± 0.7 (not significant). Conclusions. The Ross procedure results in significant improvement in left ventricular wall thickness and outflow tract velocity not seen in allograft aortic valve replacements. The Ross procedure remains the preferred operation for children requiring aortic valve replacement.