The Ross Operation in Children and Young Adults

Objectives: To determine UK national trends and results of the Ross operation in relation to all aortic valve interventions. Methods: Examination of the UK Congenital Central Cardiac Audit Database for all aortic valve procedures performed between 2000 and 2011 in children (0-16 years) and young adults (16-30 years). Results: A total of 2,206 aortic valve procedures were performed in children and 1,824 in young adults, the proportions in the two groups being: Ross operation (19% vs 15%, respectively), surgical valvoplasty (9.5% vs 4%), surgical valvotomy (9.5% vs 1%), aortic valve replacement (AVR; 11% vs 55%), aortic root replacement (4% vs 18%), and balloon valvoplasty (47% vs 7%). The 30-day and 1-year survival after Ross is 99.3% and 98.7%, respectively, in the last four years achieving 100%. In children, the proportion of balloon valvoplasty increased from an average of 43% in 2000 to 2006 to 53% in 2007 to 2011, whereas the Ross operation decreased from 22% to 16% ( P < .001). In young adults, the figures are an increase from 49% to 58% for AVR compared to a decrease from 23% to 9% for Ross ( P < .001). Our own single-center series of 91 patients also shows standard results for early- and long-term survival and freedom from reoperation, but gradually fewer Ross operations performed. The year-on-year changes show a significant decreasing trend locally and nationally. Conclusions: Despite an excellent track record, the Ross operation is performed less frequently in the United Kingdom. This report is a first step in comparing treatment modalities at national level.