Ross Registry Website Relaunched For Ross Procedure Patients & Surgeons
By Adam Pick on December 5, 2007
When I was first diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and regurgitation, 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 from Dr. Alfredo Trento at Cedars-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 for the rest of my life.
Dr. Trento’s suggestion was seconded by Dr. Vaughn Starnes, my surgeon. So, on December 21, 2005, I had the double valve replacement surgery at USC Medical Center.
Leading up to my operation, several patients suggested I check the Ross Registry for information about the procedure. However, when I visited the website, there was nothing there.
Recently, however, a new Ross Registry Website was launched at www.rossregistry.net. The new Ross Procedure website 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 about my book.)
Anyways, feel free to visit the Ross Registry to learn more about this unique aortic valve replacement procedure.
Keep on tickin!
Adam