When I was first diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis ^[1] and regurgitation ^[2], I was immediately confronted with several choices.

• When would I have surgery?
• Who would be the surgeon?
• Would I get a tissue valve or a mechanical valve?

One of the most pivotal questions I soon discovered was, “What procedure are you going to have Adam?” There seemed to be a pretty simple answer to that question.

“Ummm. I’ll have the procedure that replaces my diseased aortic valve and makes me healthy again!”

Soon enough, I learned about all the different procedures / choices that were available. It was not as easy as I originally thought.

I first learned about the Ross Procedure ^[3] from Dr. Alfredo Trento at Cedar-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. Dr. Trento felt the Ross Procedure would be a good fit for me given my active lifestyle and my desire not to be on coumadin therapy ^[4] for the rest of my life.

Dr. Trento’s suggestion was seconded by Dr. Vaughn Starnes ^[5], my surgeon. So, on December 21, 2005, I had the double valve replacement ^[6] surgery at USC Medical Center.

Leading up to my operation, several patients suggested I check the Ross Registry ^[7] for information about the procedure. However, when I visited the website, there was nothing there.

Recently, however, a new Ross Registry Website ^[7] was launched at www.rossregistry.net ^[8]. The new Ross Procedure website ^[7] provides lots of information about the Ross Procedure and several videos, including an interview with Dr. Donald Ross, the inventor of the procedure.

(FYI, I couldn’t believe it, I recently received a letter from Dr. Donald Ross ^[9] about my book.)

Anyways, feel free to visit the Ross Registry ^[7] to learn more about this unique aortic valve replacement procedure.

Keep on tickin,

Adam