Reinforcement of the Pulmonary Autograft with a Prosthetic Graft to Prevent Dilatation After the Ross Procedure

The operation is performed using moderate hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (standard aortic and bicaval cannulation) and 1 shot of 100 mL crystalloid cardioplegia (Cardioplexol; Swisscardiotech, Berne, Switzerland). The autograft is harvested as described in the original technique with a short muscular rim of right ventricular outflow tract. The adventitial tissue is removed. The diameter of the autograft is assessed by using standard valve sizers. Subsequently, a 2- to 3-mm larger polyester Valsalva vascular prosthesis (Vascutek woven polyester graft Gelweave; Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Ann Arbor, MI) is chosen (Table 1).

Following tailoring of the prosthesis to an appropriate length by leaving only a small rim of about 2 to 3 mm of the proximal collar (proximal to the artificial root), the autograft is inserted into the vascular prosthesis and the pulmonary autograft annulus is fixed with a running suture of 4-0 prolene at the proximal end of the Valsalva prosthesis (Fig. 1A). If the height of the autograft is smaller than the Valsalva part of the prosthesis, the proximal skirt can be completely removed, to preserve an “artificial” sinotubular junction at the level of the commissures of the autograft. Then the distal end of the autograft is sutured to the vascular prosthesis. Both suture lines can be facilitated by placing a Hegar dilator through the autograft lumen, or provisory stay sutures above the 3 commissures (Fig. 1B). Afterward, a standard technique of complete root replacement is used. The reinforced autograft is sutured at the annular level of the excised aortic valve either with continuous running 4-0 polypropylene suture or with interrupted sutures (Fig. 2, left). After careful determination of the optimal site for coronary ostia reimplantation, large windows are made into the graft and corresponding button holes into the wall of the pulmonary artery (neo-aortic root) using an aortic punch (Fig. 1, right). The coronary arteries are reimplanted with a 6-0 running suture between the coronaries and the autograft only; the graft is not included in this suture to avoid blood accumulation between the autograft and the vascular graft in case oozing should occur early postoperatively.^,  The right ventricular outflow tract is reconstructed with a pulmonary homograft in a conventional fashion using continuous sutures for both the proximal and the distal anastomoses. This part of the procedure can usually be performed during reperfusion.

When indicated, the ascending aorta is replaced with the remaining tubular part of the graft. If the native ascending aorta is dilated up to the proximal arch, the distal anastomosis at the level of the arch is performed during moderate hypothermic (28°C) circulatory arrest using selective antegrade perfusion for cerebral protection.

Between 2006 and 2010, 16 patients (age range: 15-45 years) with congenital aortic disease underwent the Ross procedure, according to this technique. A bicuspid aortic valve was present in 9 patients and balloon valvuloplasty had been performed in 7 patients.

All patients were submitted to echocardiographic examinations (obtained intraoperatively, before discharge, at 6 months and 1 year, and yearly thereafter). Autograft valve function, homograft or right ventricular outflow tract conduit valve function, and left ventricular function were assessed using M-mode, 2-dimensional echocardiography, and color flow Doppler.

Hospital mortality was 0%. Re-exploration because of bleeding was necessary in 1 patient. There were no other complications. During early follow-up (up to 48 months so far), 1 patient required reoperation. Echocardiographic follow-up confirmed the absence of aortic insufficiency more than +1 in 14 patients.

One of the most important concerns regarding the Ross procedure is the fact that the pulmonary autograft is exposed to systemic pressure. A substantial number of papers thus report a progressive dilation of the neoaortic root with consecutive autograft insufficiency in the long term. The original description of the Ross procedure recommended suturing the autograft in a subcoronary position, which did not allow long-term dilation. Based on excellent results observed in 347 patients, Sievers and coworkers concluded that the subcoronary implantation should be the first choice when a Ross procedure is performed. The present technique is a simple and reproducible additional step, which does not require significant additional time. Continued follow-up will demonstrate if mid- to long-term dilation of the pulmonary autograft can be avoided.