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Hemodynamics of Semilunar Valves at Rest and Exercise
at an Average of More than Two Years after the Ross Procedure
Hans-H. Sievers MD, Claudia Schmidtke MD, Bernhard Graf MD Hemodynamics across the autograft and homograft at an average of more than two years after the Ross procedure were evaluated echocardiographically in 67 patients at rest and at moderate exercise. Most patients (n = 42) had either no or only trace aortic insufficiency, while 23 were grade I/IV and two were grade II/IV at rest. The maximal pressure gradient rose from 6.1 ± 2.3 mmHg at rest to 8.7 ± 4.1 mmHg at exercise across the autograft; that across the homograft rose from 11.8 ± 5.3 mmHg at rest to 17.7 ± 8.2 mmHg at exercise. In summary, the Ross operation provides excellent hemodynamics, especially at the autograft, at rest and exercise at an average of more than two years after surgery. Some homografts develop pressure gradients at exercise, and this requires close follow up; this finding will form the basis of future surgical and scientific investigations. |
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