The Ross procedure: aortic valve replacement using autologous pulmonary valve.

The use of pulmonary autologous valve in aortic valve replacement pioneered by Dr. Donald Ross in 1967 has been employed in young patients for more than two decades with impressive results. This procedure is recommended for young patients with isolated aortic disease who are expected to have a longer life span. Because of its lack of tissue degenerative changes, the autologous pulmonary valve has the potential to function longer than other biologic valves and mechanical valves while exhibiting the same inherent hemodynamic advantages. The assessment of the long-term performance of the pulmonary autograft in the aortic position suggests that the pulmonary autologous valve is the best choice for isolated aortic valve replacement in young patients.