Abstract
Objective Paravalvular leak (PVL) after valve replacement remains clinically challenging. Percutaneous
closure is an effective therapy for patients with PVLs because reoperation is associated
with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively
compare the clinical outcome of transcatheter closure and surgical repair in patients
with a PVL.
Methods From January 2000 to May 2016, 131 patients with PVL were treated at three major
medical centers in China. Perioperative characteristics and outcomes of the procedure
were reviewed.
Results Sixty-eight (51.9%) patients with PVLs were treated with percutaneous transcatheter
closure (group I). The procedure was successful in 67 (98%) with no hospital deaths.
Sixty-three (48.1%) patients with PVLs had a reoperation (group II). Five of the surgical
patients had a third open-heart operation for residual regurgitation, and one underwent
successful percutaneous closure. Six patients died in the hospital postoperatively.
All patients in group II but only 11 in group I needed perioperative blood transfusions.
The procedural time and hospital stay after the procedure were significantly shorter
in group I than in group II. At the 1-year follow-up, cardiac function improved by
≥ 1 New York Heart Association functional class in 55 (82%) patients in group I and
in 39 (68%) patients in group II.
Conclusions Transcatheter closure was shown to be a safe, effective therapeutic option in patients
with PVL. It was associated with a lower hospital mortality rate, shorter procedural
time, and fewer blood transfusions than surgical treatment in selected patients.
Keywords
paravalvular leak - valve replacement - transapical - transcatheter - surgery - follow-up
