The Ross Procedure: Treatment Guidelines, Advantages and Surgeon Experience with Dr. William Brinkman

The Ross Procedure is perhaps one of the most complex heart operations surgeons can perform. While it is technically an aortic valve replacement surgery, it also involves removing the pulmonary valve and implanting it in the aortic position. A donor valve is then used to replace the pulmonary valve. The Ross Procedure has several advantages, including highly successful patient outcomes. Still, its advantages depend on specific treatment guidelines and a surgeon’s experience, which patients considering the Ross Procedure for aortic valve disease shouldn’t overlook.

To get more information about the current guidelines and advantages of the Ross Procedure, we spoke with Dr. William Brinkman, Director of the Thoracic Aortic Clinic at Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital-Plano in Plano, Texas. Dr. Brinkman has performed over 3,500 cardiac surgeries and has nearly 20 years of experience with the Ross Procedure.

Video available online at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIWYdVfhyeI

Facts About Ross Procedure Guidelines, Advantages, and Surgeon Experience

Here are the key insights shared by Dr. Brinkman:

• The current data about what is necessary for a successful Ross Procedure. Dr. Brinkman said, “The treatment guidelines for the use of the Ross Procedure are evolving, and there is more data coming out. Right now, it has what we call a 2B indication, which means it’s reasonable if it’s done at a comprehensive Ross Center, where you have an experienced surgeon and imaging team that decides if you have the proper anatomy for the Ross. I think if you have the proper anatomy and an experienced surgeon, the Ross is a beautiful thing, and it has very good results.”

• The benefits and results for patients. “It’s the only valve operation that puts you back on a normal life expectancy curve,” explained Dr. Brinkman. “You don’t have to be on Coumadin, which decreases the incidence of bleeding and thromboembolic events. I also believe the flow through the heart is more natural, and the leaflets of the autograft are intended by nature to be leaflets, so I think there is some advantage to that.”

• What is the significance of an experienced team and a volume threshold? “Like many complex surgical procedures, there is a volume quality threshold,” said Dr. Brinkman. “The Ross is a very complex procedure, and it takes years for a surgeon to get the cases where they would be considered an expert in the area. We are working with societies to help surgeons and centers become experts if that is what they want. But I think it needs to be done in a very controlled manner, rather than by small-volume operators at small-volume hospitals, because those settings don’t tend to yield the best results.”

Thanks Dr. Brinkman and Baylor, Scott & White!

On behalf of all the patients in our community, thank you, Dr. Bill Brinkman, for everything you and your team are doing at Baylor, Scott & White The Heart Hospital- Plano in Plano, Texas.

Related links:

• See Dr. William Brinkman’s Interactive Surgeon Profile with 80+ Patient Reviews

• Ask Dr. Brinkman: The Different Approaches for Treating Bicuspid Aortic Valves

• Surgeon Insights: Treating Bicuspid Aortic Valves and Aortic Aneurysms with Dr. William Brinkman

Keep on tickin,
Adam

P.S. For the deaf and hard-of-hearing members of our patient community, we have provided a written transcript of our interview with Dr. Brinkman below.