Up to seven years of experience with the Ross procedure in patients >60 years of age

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to compare the outcome of patients >60 years of age with younger patients after the Ross procedure. BACKGROUND Currently, the Ross procedure is performed predominantly in young patients. Main arguments against the Ross procedure in the elderly are the complexity of the operation and related risks. Experience with the Ross procedure in patients >60 years of age is scarce. METHODS Between February 1990 and August 1998, the Ross procedure was performed in 27 patients (15 men and 12 women) >60 years of age (mean 64.2 ± 3.1 years, range 60.5 to 70.6; group A) and in 84 patients (68 men, 12 women) <60 years of age (mean 43.8 ± 12.4 years, range 15.2 to 59.4; group B). Echocardiography was applied at a mean follow-up of 28.4 ± 21.0 and 25.2 ± 21.4 months, respectively, to determine hemodynamic variables (ejection fraction, fractional shortening, stroke volume, cardiac output), cardiac dimensions and autograft and homograft valve function. RESULTS There was one early and one late (esophageal bleeding) death in group B; the mortality rate was 0% in group A. One autograft was replaced because of a subvalvular aneurysm, and one patient was lost to follow-up (group B). There were no significant differences in cardiac dimensions, grade of insufficiencies across homografts and autografts and hemodynamic variables, except for a higher pressure gradient across the homograft in group B (maximal pressure gradient 11.3 ± 5.6 vs. 7.7 ± 4.6 mm Hg in group A). The median New York Heart Association functional class was I in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Our seven years of experiences (mean follow-up 28 months) indicate that the Ross procedure may be performed in selected patients >60 years of age without increased risk for mortality or complications in experienced centers.