[Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic study in aortic valve replacement with pulmonary valve autograft].

Eleven patients who underwent pulmonary valve autograft to aortic position with placement of bovine pericardial prosthesis in pulmonary position were studied with echocardiography. Transthoracic echocardiography, was performed on all patients before surgery. Transesophageal echocardiograms were practiced during the surgical procedure. The latter technique aided in immediate postoperative evaluation. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography provide a practical and valuable means of investigating the pre, trans and postoperative conditions of patients undergoing Ross surgery.