The Ross procedure in a young rheumatic population: early clinical and echocardiographic profile.

The use of pulmonary autografts for aortic valve replacement is nearing its third decade. It is showing promise as a permanent aortic valve with its ability to grow with age. We report our experience of 45 patients with a mean age of 16.89 years over a three year period. Rheumatic heart disease was the cause of aortic valve dysfunction in 38 (84.4%) patients. Sixteen (35.5%) patients also underwent mitral valve repair. Echocardiographic examination revealed early reduction of aortic regurgitation and left ventricular dimensions, which remained stable in the short follow up period. There were no early or late deaths. One patient required reoperation for a regurgitant pulmonary autograft at two years. We conclude that pulmonary autograft transplantation to the aortic root seems to offer a near permanent solution in a young population affected by rheumatic valve disease.