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PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To update the long-term results of the Ross procedure in adults and to establish the current role of this operation for the management of aortic valve disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Early outcomes continue to be excellent. Follow-up beyond 10 years, however, demonstrates continued deterioration of the autografts and need for reoperation in a substantial percentage of patients, particularly those in whom the root replacement technique was used. SUMMARY: Until the long-term results of alternatives to the aortic root technique for implantation (i.e., subcoronary) become available, and until the long-term results with other techniques, such as implantation of the autograft root within a synthetic vascular graft, are known, the Ross procedure should not be routinely performed in adult patients.

Diagnosis and treatment of thoracic vascular disease remain difficult problems for the clinician. These pathologic conditions often result in significant morbidity and mortality. Currently, published series document long-term treatment results and allow investigators to analyze both pre- and postoperative predictors of outcome. This review outlines some of the many significant publications over the past 12 months dealing with these disorders.