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Volume 66, Issue 4 (7-2008)
Abstract
Background: The Ross procedure has been known as a good method for aortic valve replacement. Pulmonary allograft postoperative stenosis subsequent to the Ross procedure has been noted as an important disadvantage of this technique, although risk factors related to this complication are not clearly recognized. In this study we evaluate the risk factors of pulmonary allograft stenosis after Ross procedure.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study was carried out on 42 patients who underwent the Ross procedure. Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction was repaired using pulmonary allografts 22.7±2.5 mm in diameter. Echocardiographic and clinical examinations were performed for all patients at six and 12 months after surgery. Echocardiographic data as well as data related to the allografts were recorded.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 28.5±10 years. Postoperative pulmonary valve stenosis was detected in 13 patients (31%). Nine patients (21.4%) had mild stenosis and four patients (9.5%) had moderate stenosis. No relationship was detected between the degree of stenosis and the size of allograft (p=0.08). There was a significant correlation between postoperative pulmonary stenosis and donor age (p=0.04). Predictive variables of pulmonary allograft stenosis after the Ross procedure were low donor and recipient age (p=0.03 and 0.05, respectively).
Conclusions: This study shows that the Ross procedure has a rather low incidence of postoperative stenosis and is a suitable substitute for aortic valve replacement. Low donor age is associated with pulmonary allograft stenosis formation, perhaps due to greater viability of tissue cells from younger donors.
