Ross procedure- surgical solution pediatric aortic valve endocarditis: Case report and literature review

The Ross procedure, involving the replacement of a diseased aortic valve with the patient's own pulmonary valve (autograft) and subsequent pulmonary valve replacement with a homograft or xenograft, is particularly advantageous in pediatric patients due to its growth potential and reduced need for future surgeries. This technique also minimizes complications associated with mechanical and bioprosthetic valves, such as thromboembolism and the need for anticoagulation therapy. However, it is technically complex and may lead to double-valve disease. Infective endocarditis (IE), an infection of the endocardium, especially affecting heart valves, poses significant challenges in children with congenital heart disease or a history of cardiac surgery. The Ross procedure offers a viable alternative, demonstrating a lower reoperation rate than homografts and eliminating the need for anticoagulation. We present a case of a 6-month-old boy with congenital aortic stenosis and severe IE who underwent the Ross procedure after appropriate antibiotic therapy. He survived without significant short-term sequelae, underscoring the procedure’s efficacy in managing pediatric IE and valve disease.