ABSTRACT
Introduction Paravalvular leak (PVL) presents with regurgitation and is oen a signicant problem for patients with bioprosthetic or mechanical heart valves.1 Oen manifesting as heart failure (85% of all presenting symptoms) and hemolysis (13-47% of all presenting symptoms and signs).2,3 PVL has a prevalence as high as 5-17% of all mechanical valves.4−6
e mechanism of leaks is not well understood. e alignment between the sewing ring and annulus may be incomplete because of signicant annular calcication. e tissue around valves can weaken as a result of chronic infection. Even the sutures themselves may not allow signicant apposition of the valve with the annulus. All these can lead to signicant PVL.
