[Immunological changes after the Ross operation].

The aim of present paper is to analyze immunological changes due to Ross operation. Cellular immune response as well as incidence of antibodies directed against human leukocyte antigens were studied in patients who received cardiac valve allografts. Standard microlymphocytotoxicity test was used to determine the percentage of panel reactive antibodies. Activated lymphocyte response to Pokeweed mitogen was revealed in patients after Ross operation. The panel reactive antibodies became positive in 3 out of 6 recipients tested. This production of donor specific anti-HLA antibodies can contribute to graft failure in case of subsequent cardiac transplantation.