Valve Disease

Ross Procedure.

Expert second opinions for ross procedure. Dual-physician Heart Team review with triple risk scoring. Results in 24 hours.

<200 Ross procedures per year in the US
Prevalence
Mortality 1-2% at expert centers
Key Outcome
20-year freedom from autograft reoperation >85%
Procedures
Quick Answer

Ross Procedure ure replaces the diseased aortic valve with the patient's own pulmonary valve (autograft) and places a homograft in the pulmonary position. If you are facing a decision about ross procedure, an independent Heart Team second opinion can confirm whether surgery is the right choice and identify alternatives. WhiteGloveMD delivers dual-physician review with STS, EuroSCORE II, and AATS risk scoring in 24 hours. Get an independent second opinion →

Overview

Understanding ross procedure.

The Ross procedure replaces the diseased aortic valve with the patient's own pulmonary valve (autograft) and places a homograft in the pulmonary position. It offers the unique advantage of a living valve that grows, does not require anticoagulation, and has excellent long-term durability in properly selected patients.

Why It Matters

Why you need a second opinion.

The Ross procedure is arguably the best option for many young patients needing aortic valve replacement, yet fewer than 200 are performed annually in the US. Most patients are never informed of this option because few surgeons have the expertise to perform it. A second opinion from a surgeon experienced with the Ross procedure can be life-changing.

Critical Decisions

Key decisions for ross procedure.

Ross procedure vs mechanical vs bioprosthetic valve
Patient selection criteria (age, anatomy, pathology)
Surgeon selection (Ross experience is critical)
Autograft management and root reinforcement technique
Long-term surveillance planning
Risk Factors

What affects your risk.

Surgical expertise (the most critical factor)
Aortic regurgitation vs stenosis as indication
Bicuspid valve anatomy
Connective tissue disorders (relative contraindication)
Pulmonary valve suitability
Our Review

What our Heart Team provides.

Dual-physician review (cardiac surgeon + cardiologist)
Triple risk scoring (STS PROM, EuroSCORE II, AATS)
ACC/AHA guideline mapping with evidence grades
Treatment alternatives with risk-benefit comparison
Surgeon and institution matching via Sentinel
Personalized question guide for your next appointment
Complete provenance trail for every conclusion
Results delivered within 24 hours
Common Questions

Frequently asked questions.

Do I need surgery for ross procedure?

Surgery for ross procedure depends on symptom severity, imaging findings, and risk profile. Guidelines from the AHA/ACC define specific thresholds, but many patients fall into gray zones where a second opinion meaningfully changes the recommendation. The Ross procedure is arguably the best option for many young patients needing aortic valve replacement, yet fewer than 200 are performed annually in the US. Most patients are never informed of this option because few surgeons have the expertise to perform it. A second opinion from a surgeon experienced with the Ross procedure can be life-changing.

What are the risks of ross procedure surgery?

Operative mortality for ross procedure-related cardiac surgery is calculated using validated models including STS PROM, EuroSCORE II, and AATS. Individual risk depends on age, comorbidities, frailty, ejection fraction, and surgeon/center volume. Our free calculator at whiteglovemd.com/tools/risk-calculator estimates your specific risk across all three models in real time.

Should I get a second opinion before ross procedure surgery?

Yes. Studies show that 30-40% of expert cardiac surgery second opinions change the original treatment plan — sometimes by recommending less-invasive alternatives, sometimes by clarifying that watchful waiting is safer. WhiteGloveMD pairs a cardiac surgeon and cardiologist with our Clintelligence multi-agent AI pipeline to deliver an independent review in 24 hours, starting at $500.

What is the best treatment for ross procedure?

The optimal treatment for ross procedure depends on anatomy, comorbidities, age, and personal goals. Ross procedure vs mechanical vs bioprosthetic valve. A Heart Team review evaluates every viable option — including transcatheter approaches, repair vs replacement, and surgeon/center matching — rather than defaulting to a single recommendation.

Clinical References
  1. Otto CM, Nishimura RA, Bonow RO, et al. 2020 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease — Tricuspid/Pulmonary Section. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021;77(4):e25-e197.
  2. O'Brien SM, Feng L, He X, et al. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2018 Adult Cardiac Surgery Risk Models. Ann Thorac Surg. 2018;105(5):1411-1418.
  3. Nashef SAM, Roques F, Sharples LD, et al. EuroSCORE II. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2012;41(4):734-745.

Reading on ross procedure

See all articles →
Treatment Options
TAVR vs SAVR: An Aortic Surgeon's Honest Guide to Choosing the Right Valve Replacement

Facing an aortic valve replacement decision? An aortic surgeon explains the real differences between TAVR and SAVR, who benefits most from each approach, and the questions you should be asking before you consent to either procedure.

Callistus Ditah, MD · May 26, 2026
Risk Assessment
EuroSCORE II Explained: What This European Cardiac Surgery Risk Score Means for Your Heart Surgery Decision

EuroSCORE II is one of the most widely used risk calculators in cardiac surgery worldwide. Learn what the European cardiac surgery risk score actually measures, how it compares to the STS risk model, and why understanding your score matters before you consent to an operation.

Serrie Lico, MD · May 24, 2026
Diagnostics
Cardiac Stress Test Results: What Your Exercise Echo or Nuclear Stress Test Actually Means

A world-class imaging cardiologist explains how to read and understand your cardiac stress test results — whether you had an exercise stress echo, nuclear stress test, or pharmacologic study. Learn what abnormal findings really mean for your heart and what comes next.

Kunal U. Gurav, MD · May 23, 2026
Risk Assessment
EuroSCORE II Explained: What This European Cardiac Surgery Risk Score Means for Your Heart Surgery Decision

EuroSCORE II is one of the most widely used cardiac surgery risk calculators in the world. As a cardiovascular surgeon, I explain what this European risk score measures, how it compares to the STS risk model, and what patients need to understand before surgery.

Rahul R. Handa, MD · May 22, 2026

Related conditions.

Tricuspid Regurgitation
Pulmonary Valve Disease
Mechanical Valve Anticoagulation
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Maze Procedure (Cox-Maze)
Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

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