The Heart and Vascular Institute at The Valley Hospital is one of the few centers in the United States offering the Ross procedure in adults. The Ross procedure is an advanced surgical technique for aortic valve replacement due to aortic valve disease.
Aortic valve disease is a condition in which the heart’s aortic valve is no longer functioning properly. The aortic valve allows oxygen-rich blood from the heart to be pumped to different areas of the body. It also allows for proper filling of the coronary arteries of the heart and prevents blood from flowing back into the heart. There are a variety of techniques that may be used to treat certain aortic valve diseases, including aortic valve repair, aortic valve replacement, the Ross procedure and TAVR.
What is the Ross Procedure?
An advanced technique for aortic valve replacement, the Ross procedure replaces a damaged aortic valve with the patient’s own pulmonary valve. A healthy donor pulmonic valve is then used to replace the patient’s pulmonic valve.
Traditionally, damaged aortic valves are replaced with either a mechanical valve or a bioprosthetic tissue valve.
The Ross procedure offers patients an additional replacement option that offers longer valve life expectancy without the need for blood thinners.
“The aortic and pulmonary valves are twins. These valves are quite similar in their structures, making the pulmonary valve an excellent aortic valve substitute. The Ross procedure can offer some benefits over other aortic valve substitutes, such as mechanical and bioprosthetic valves, by using the patient’s natural tissue as a durable replacement. As the only living valve substitute for aortic valve replacement, the pulmonary valve can adapt to its new physiologic environment and help restore life expectancy.”
- Dr. Habib Jabagi, Cardiac Surgeon
Diane's Story
After discovering an aortic aneurysm, Diane's journey led her to The Valley Hospital, where she underwent a successful Ross procedure, highlighting the importance of personalized cardiac care.
Benefits of the Ross Procedure
Patient benefits of the Ross procedure include:
- Improved blood flow and quality of life: The Ross procedure restores normal blood flow to the body, After the procedure, patients are able to resume a regular, active lifestyle.
- No anticoagulation: Patients can lead a normal life without the need for blood thinners.
- Resistance to infection: Because the Ross procedure uses the patient’s own pulmonic valve as opposed to a mechanical or bioprosthetic valve, patients have less risk of valve infection after the procedure.
For more information about the Ross procedure and to find out if you are a candidate, call 1-800-VALLEY 1.
