Autologous Pericardial Valved Conduit for the Ross Operation

The feasibility and function of autologous pericardial valved conduit for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in the Ross operation were assessed. Between June 1997 and April 2002, 31 patients underwent this procedure at our institution; one was lost to follow-up. The other 26 males and 4 females were aged 17 to 60 years (mean, 36.6 years). Causes of aortic valve disease were infective endocarditis in 26 and rheumatic valve disease in 4. Mean follow-up was 16.7 months (range, 1-58 months). Preoperatively, 9 patients were in functional class II, 19 in class III, and 2 in class IV. Concomitant procedures included coronary artery bypass (1), mitral valve replacement (6), tricuspid valve replacement (1), and ventricular septal defect closure (1). Mean aortic crossclamp time was 199.4 min. There were 4 (13.3%) hospital deaths and no late death. Mean postoperative functional class was 1.17 with +0.36 aortic regurgitation, a peak gradient of 21.9 mm Hg (range, 6-59 mm Hg) across the conduit, and grade +0.96 pulmonary regurgitation. No conduit-related complication was detected. Use of autologous valved conduit for the Ross operation is feasible. Long-term follow-up is mandatory to assess durability.