Review of Prosthetic Paravalvular Leaks: Diagnosis and Management

Purpose of Review: Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a relatively uncommon complication associated with prosthetic valve implantation. PVL can occasionally lead to serious adverse consequences such as congestive heart failure, infective endocarditis, and hemolytic anemia. Surgical re-operation carries a high mortality risk. Recent Findings: Transcatheter closure therapy provides a viable alternative for the treatment of this disorder with reasonable procedural and clinical success. The recent advent of hybrid imaging modalities has increased procedural success. Summary: This article summarizes the pathophysiology, clinical characteristics, and treatment modalities surroundings prosthetic paravalvular leak.