The Living Ross Procedure: A New Paradigm in Partial Heart Transplantation

Ann Thorac Surg. 2025 Aug;120(2):412-414. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2025.04.039. Epub 2025 May 26.

Abstract

In the Ross procedure, homograft stenosis and regurgitation have limited the longevity of the right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) conduit. Partial heart transplantation (PHT) facilitates conduit growth throughout the life of the child. We report the application of PHT of the RV-PA conduit during a Ross procedure, "living Ross," in a 3-year old patient with a congenital unicuspid aortic valve. Pulmonary autograft was used in the aortic position, and an aortic root allograft from the cardiectomy of an adult heart transplant recipient served as the RV-PA conduit. We hypothesize that this Ross procedure, the living Ross, improves the longevity of the RV-PA conduit.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Valve* / abnormalities
  • Aortic Valve* / surgery
  • Child, Preschool
  • Heart Transplantation* / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Artery* / surgery
  • Pulmonary Artery* / transplantation
  • Pulmonary Valve* / transplantation