Ross operation as a redo aortic valve surgery: first experience

Nowadays, the application of the Ross procedure is extending beyond the suggested indications, and the number of patients undergone the autologous aortic valve replacement (AVR) as a redo cardiac surgery is correspondingly increasing. It is well known that cardiac reoperations are characterized by higher morbidity and mortality than primary AVR, especially in patients with infective endocarditis. Contrariwise, the Ross operation per se is a complex, technically demanding doublevalve procedure. The authors presents their first experience in performing the Ross operation as a redo AVR in 6 patients. The following problems are discussed: performance capabilities of autologous AVR in infective endocarditis, in patients with aoric root dilatation, and the role of multispiral computed tomography in planning strategies of redo cardiac surgery.