The Ross procedure (also called pulmonary autograft for aortic valve
replacement) is the preferred method for aortic valve replacement in children
and young adults among Inova pediatric cardiologists.
It provides the potential for growth in children and does not require the use
of blood thinners, a major disadvantage of artificial valves. The procedure uses
the child’s own pulmonary valve to replace the defective aortic valve. A
homograft is then placed to carry the blood to the lungs.
