Ross Procedure Versus Repair for Treatment of a Unicuspid Aortic Valve in Adults

Unicuspid aortic valve requires intervention in early life and the ideal treatment is unknown. This study examined 345 patients divided into two groups: 167 undergoing valve repair and 91 undergoing a Ross procedure. Survival at ten years was 95 percent in the Ross group and 97 percent after valve repair, and freedom from reintervention at ten years was better with Ross (98 percent) as compared to repair (80.5 percent). ROC analysis indicated a trend toward better durability in patients aged less than twenty-six years. It seems that repair of a unicuspid valve can be used as a bridge to pulmonary autograft replacement in younger patients.