Progressive pulmonary autograft root dilatation and failure after Ross procedure

We present a case of progressive pulmonary autograft root dilatation and subsequent failure after a Ross procedure. The explanted autograft vessel wall revealed striking histologic findings indicative of chronic media rupture. Examination of another explanted pulmonary autograft root showed similar histologic changes, suggesting a common phenomenon in pulmonary autograft roots. It may be the cause of progressive root dilatation as observed after Ross operations.