The Ross operation.

Both congenital and acquired aortic valve defects represent an important group of diseases in pediatric patients. Since the defects –in form of stenosis, insufficiency or mixedmay finally cause a loss of ventricular function and mean a big load for the heart muscle, an interventional or surgical therapy is required. Although there are various alternatives of treatment, none of these is really satisfactory. The balloon valvuloplasty which is especially performed on patients with aortic stenosis does not seem to be a lasting solution. Also the replacement of homografts and mechanical valves in aortic position has not been as successful. Particularly problems like several re-operations, thromboembolic complications, frequent endocarditis, the need of anticoagulants and their risk of bleeding have forced us to search for new ways of therapy. In this respect the Ross procedure is the best option for pediatric patients.