{"id":5928,"date":"2025-07-17T16:47:45","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T16:47:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/learning\/?page_id=5928"},"modified":"2026-03-12T17:50:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T17:50:31","slug":"ross-procedure-donor-valves","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/learning\/ross-procedure-donor-valves\/","title":{"rendered":"Ross Procedure Donor Valves: Is There A Waiting List?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Ross Procedure<\/a> is an advanced form of aortic valve replacement that is not nearly as well known or publicized compared to popular mechanical or tissue valve aortic replacement operations.<\/p>\n

During the Ross Procedure, the patient\u2019s pulmonary valve is switched into the aortic position. Then, a human donor valve is implanted in the pulmonary position. While the Ross Procedure is a complex that should only be performed by expert surgeons, new research suggests that the Ross Procedure provides patients enhanced survivability and a normal life expectancy without the use of blood thinners.<\/p>\n

For this reason, many patients in our community are interested in learning more about the Ross Procedure. One such patient is Carla, who sent us a great question on Facebook. Carla asked, \u201cIf I choose to go with the Ross Procedure, do I get put on a waiting list for the donor valve? Or, do they have them ready for implant?\u201d<\/p>\n

I recently met with Dr. Joanna Chikwe<\/a> during a trip to Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, California. She is the chair of cardiac surgery and has extensive experience in the Ross Procedure. I asked if she would answer Carla\u2019s question and explain what a donor valve is in the Ross Procedure.<\/p>\n

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