Infirmary Health Now Performing Ross Procedure

Two of Infirmary Health’s cardiothoracic surgeons, Dr. Kareem Bedeir and Dr. Peter Pluscht, III, are the only surgeons along the Gulf Coast performing pulmonary artery autograft replacement of the aortic valve. Commonly known as the “Ross Procedure,” this is a unique alternative to traditional valve replacement operations. The physicians perform the procedure at Mobile Infirmary and Thomas Hospital. Infirmary Health’s Heart & Vascular Institute is currently the only community-based program in the region to offer this procedure. Because of the Ross Procedure’s need for an experienced surgical team and skilled ancillary support from anesthesia, echocardiography and intensive care personnel, it is not widely available across the U.S. A major benefit to it is the increased survival rate compared to other valve replacement operations. Additionally, this procedure uses human tissue valves, which lower infection risk and the need for reoperation compared to other materials used in traditional valve replacement surgery.