Abstract
Background
Autograft regurgitation and the need of autograft reintervention are possible complications of Ross procedure.
Purpose
Our Aim was to identify rates of autograft degeneration, reintervention and predictive
factors valvular disease in a prospective series of a reference cardiovascular surgery hospital.
Methods
Since November 1997 to July 2009, a total of 107 patients diagnosed of aortic valvular disease requiring surgical treatment underwent Ross surgery (mean age 30 ± 11 years, 69% male, 21 patients <18 years). In all of them, a comprehensive clinical and echocardiographic evaluation was performed before the intervention and at discharge, at 6, 12 months and annually after surgery.
Results
At the end of follow-up (21 years, median: 17 years, interquartile rank 12-19 years), echocardiographic and clinical data were available in 95 (89%) and 105 (98%) patients, respectively. 30 patients (32%) developed at least moderate aortic regurgitation and 18 of them (17%) required autograft reintervention. Probability of survival free from at least moderate autograft regurgitation and reintervention at the end of follow up was 71% and 83% respectively. Two patients died because of reintervention related complications. A larger native pulmonary annulus size was the only factor, associated to autograft reintervention (HR 1.24 95% [CI] 1.04-1.48, p = 0.01) and at least moderate autograft regurgitation (HR 1.19 95% [CI] 1.03-1.37, p = 0.02). Autograft reintervention was also associated to intervention in the learning curve period (first 12 cases, HR 3.78, [CI] 95% 1.42-10.08, p = 0.008). We found no significant association of these outcomes with previous cardiac surgery, age, sex, aetiology of aortic lesion or native aortic annulus diameter.
Conclusion
At long term follow-up after Ross procedure, 32% of patients developed at least moderate autograft regurgitation and 17% required autograft reintervention. A larger size of the native pulmonary annulus and intervention in the learning curve period were associated with the need of autograft surgery in the long term follow up.
Pulmonary homograft stenosis in the Ross procedure: Incidence, clinical impact and predictors in long-term follow-up
