Transcatheter closure management of mitral paravalvular leakage: A single center experience

Abstract Background Paravalvular leakage (PVL) is a common complication after artificial valve replacement. Transcatheter paravalvular leak closure (PVT), an efficient, safe, and minimally invasive treatment for PVL patients. Aims The purpose of this study was to present our experience with transcatheter closure of mitral paravalvular leakage (PVL) after surgical valve replacement in our center. Methods A cohort of 81 consecutive patients with mitral PVLs was treated with transcatheter closure between September 2014 and December 2022. We reviewed the demographics, clinical features, therapeutic modalities and follow‐up results. The patients' charts were used for retrospective analysis. Results Eighty‐one patients from one center were enrolled in this study. The median age of the patients was 63 ± 11 years. The median LVEF was 51% ± 7%, and the median regurgitation volume was 11.5 ± 10.1 mL. Sealing with occlusion was successful in 70 patients, and the technical success rate was 86.5%. The median regurgitation volume was reduced to 1.95 ± 2.6 mL. The major adverse event was hemolysis, which affected 19 patients, 17 of whom required blood transfusion. Three patients required secondary open surgery due to bleeding. Three patients died during the hospital stay, and all of their deaths were caused by hemolysis‐related complications. The median hospital stay was 10.3 ± 6.3 days. During the follow‐up period, 2 patients died, and none of their deaths were caused by surgery. The New York Heart Association classification increased in all patients during the 6‐month follow‐up. Conclusion Transcatheter mitral PVL closure requires complex catheter techniques. However, this technique is minimally invasive and has a shorter hospital stay. Interventional mitral PVL closure is a safe and efficacious technique for high‐risk surgical patients with symptomatic paravalvular regurgitation.