The management of paravalvular leaks post aortic valve replacement.
Abstract
Paravalvular leak (PVL) is uncommon but can lead to severe complications
after surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Clinical
complications such as heart failure, haemolysis and infective
endocarditis can be catastrophic results if not treated in promptly. It
is, therefore, vital that PVLs are diagnosed early using various imaging
modalities. Different approaches have been studies in managing PVL’s; of
late, there is an increased interest in the use of minimally invasive
procedures such as the transcatheter aortic valve closure procedure due
to the decreased occurrence of further operations. This review discusses
the classification of PVLs, diagnostic approaches and the available
management options.