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Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring of Aortic and Pulmonary Artery Hemodynamics in a Large Animal Model of ARDS
Published on: November 26, 2018
Aortopulmonary size discrepancy is not a contraindication to the pediatric Ross operation
F A Pigula1, J Paolillo, M McGrath
1Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. pigulaf@heart.chp.edu
Background:
Modification of the aortic annulus or the ascending aorta, or both, may be required in pediatric patients undergoing the Ross operation. The fate of these autografts remains uncertain.
Methods:
Retrospective review of 15 patients undergoing Ross operation without aortic annular modification (group 1), 11 patients requiring annular reduction (group 2, n = 11), and 8 patients requiring annular enlargement (group 3, n = 8). Autograft function and dimensions were evaluated by echocardiography.
Results:
Autograft insufficiency was less than or equal to mild in 33 patients and moderate in 1 patient. The annulus body surface area ratio increased in group 1 from 19.7 +/- 5 to 20.3 +/- 5 mm/M2 (p = 0.8). The average annular reduction in group 2 was 5 +/- 1.5 mm, and 10 of 11 patients required reduction of the ascending aorta (mean 11 +/- 5 mm). The annulus body surface area ratio increased from 18.6 +/- 7 to 20.5 +/- 9 mm/M2 (p = 0.2). The mean augmentation in annulus diameter in group 3 was 6 +/- 4 mm; the annulus body surface area ratio decreased from 23.7 +/- 14 to 20.3 +/- 8 mm/M2 (p = 0.5).
Conclusions:
We continue to offer the Ross operation to pediatric patients even when aortic annular or ascending aortic size discrepancies mandate surgical modifications.

