Congenital aortic valve disease is one of the most common pediatric valve disorders, typically due to a structural abnormality in the heart. Once symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and failure to grow at the same rate as other children become apparent, a surgical or transcatheter intervention is often required. It\u2019s a stressful and confusing time for parents who are faced with critical decisions about their child\u2019s health and future.<\/p>\n
We received a great question on this topic from Ella, a parent in our community who needs guidance for her daughter. Ella asked, \u201cMy nine-year-old daughter has been diagnosed with severe aortic valve regurgitation. Is the Ross Procedure<\/a> a good treatment for her?\u201d<\/p>\n To answer Ella\u2019s question, we met with Dr. Vaughn Starnes<\/a> at the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Conference in Los Angeles, where he had just concluded teaching a Ross Procedure course for other physicians. Dr. Starnes is the Surgeon-in-Chief of Keck Medicine of USC in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Starnes is a world-renowned Ross Procedure expert having performed over 650 Ross Procedures during the past 30 years.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n