The Ross procedure: an excellent option in the right hands

The ideal approach to managing aortic valve disease in the young patient remains controversial. Although valve repair should be considered, it is frequently not anatomically possible, especially in the setting of aortic stenosis. The requirements for aortic valve replacement (AVR) in the young patient are simple—the replacement should be durable, not require anticoagulation, and have a very low incidence of stroke and other valve-related complications. Options for AVR in the young patient include a mechanical or biological valve, a cryopreserved allograft, and the pulmonary autograft.