Ross procedure with pulmonary autograft reinforcement using reimplantation technique

Abstract

Dilatation of the pulmonary autograft resulting in aortic valve regurgitation represents a common issue following Ross procedure with root replacement, in particular when performed beyond childhood. We present our early experience with modified Ross procedure associated with autograft reinforcement using reimplantation technique. Records of 59 consecutive patients who underwent Ross procedure with reinforcement between 2009 and 2021were analysed. Pulmonary autograft was reimplanted in a Dacron conduit of a median diameter = 26 mm (range: 20–30) using Tirone David's technique of valve sparing aortic root replacement (VSRR). Median age was 17 years (range: 6–38). Majority of cases has presented with mono or bicuspid aortic valve ( n = 50; 85%), predominant aortic valve regurgitation ( n = 38; 64%) and dilatation (> 30 mm) of the ascending aorta ( n = 32; 54%). Forty-six (78%) had at least one prior aortic valve procedure. No death occurred. Three patients required early procedure-related reoperation 8 others were reoperated on later resulting in 3 neo-aortic valve replacement all-over (5%). The mean duration of follow-up was 46 ± 12 months. Neither more than mild autograft regurgitation nor stenosis was observed. Mean diameters of the autograft annulus and sinotubular junction were respectively 24.8 ± 2.6 mm and 25.3 ± 2.1 mm at discharge and 25.3 ± 2.1 mm and 25.4 ± 2.7 mm at the last visit ( P = 0.06 and 0.08). Autograft reinforcement by means of reimplantation technique prevented neo-aortic root dilatation and allowed to extend the indications for Ross procedure to patients for whom the conventional Ross technique was qualified to be unsuitable. Early failure was rare (5%) and mid-term outcomes confirmed the stability of the neo-aortic valve function in follow-up.