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Ross Procedure is a sensitive heart surgery to correct serious aortic valve disease. It substitutes the patient's deformed aortic valve with their normal pulmonary valve. The removed pulmonary valve is substituted with a donor valve taken from a cadaver or other options.

The Ross Procedure treats aortic valve dysfunction, especially in young individuals with regurgitation or aortic stenosis. It involves autografting the patient's pulmonary valve to replace the damaged aortic valve, followed by a homograft of the pulmonary valve. Particularly in children and young adults, it is recommended for patients who wish to avoid lifelong anticoagulation and benefit from a robust, living valve that develops with the patient.

Consult a cardiologist if you experience cardiac murmurs, fatigue, fainting, chest pain, or dyspnea—all of which are common symptoms of aortic valve dysfunction. A cardiac surgeon may suggest that you explore the Ross Procedure if testing reveals severe valve malfunction and you are a good candidate, particularly if you are young and active.

Preparation includes a complete cardiac evaluation: echocardiogram, cardiac MRI or CT, electrocardiogram (ECG), and blood tests. Your doctor will assess your overall health, surgical risk, and valve anatomy. You may be asked to fast before surgery, stop certain medications, and undergo pre-anaesthesia assessment.

Anaesthesia: General anaesthesia is administered.
Incision: A midline sternotomy (chest opening) is performed.
Heart-Lung Machine: The patient is connected to cardiopulmonary bypass.
Valve Removal: The diseased aortic valve is removed.
Pulmonary Valve Transfer: The patient’s pulmonary valve is excised and implanted in the aortic position.
Pulmonary Valve Replacement: A donor (homograft) valve replaces the pulmonary valve.
Closure: The heart is restarted, and the chest is closed with sutures and/or staples.

The Ross Procedure usually takes 5 to 7 hours, depending on the patient’s condition and surgical complexity.

Potential risks of the Ross Procedure include

Bleeding during or after surgery
Infection at the surgical site or within the heart
Valve dysfunction of the autograft or homograft over time
Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias)
Stroke or other neurological complications
Pulmonary valve failure, requiring reoperation
General anaesthesia-related risks

Numerous advantages of this technique might greatly enhance one's quality of life. It makes it possible for people to have active lives, which include driving and frequent exercise. Compared to other options, the process offers a safer option for women wanting to get pregnant. It also promotes optimal hemodynamics, or blood circulation, throughout the body. Unlike other treatments, it removes the requirement for lifetime blood thinner use. Rapid symptom reduction is another significant benefit; many patients report observable improvements soon after surgery.

After surgery, patients usually remain in the hospital for 7–10 days, during which time they are monitored in the intensive care unit. Medication is used to control pain, and cardiac rehabilitation, a gradual return to activity, and routine check-ups are all part of the recovery process. With repeated imaging to check valve function, full healing could take six to twelve weeks.

The Ross Procedure offers an outstanding quality of life and cardiac function, with a 10-year survival rate of over 90%. Children and young people have excellent results in specialised centres, where many patients go decades without needing a valve replacement.