Pitfalls in catheter-based interventions to treat paravalvular leaks

Paravalvular leaks of prosthetic heart valves can be observed at a rate as great as 1.4% leaks/patient-year. Surgical correction can be performed with low mortality in most instances of clinically relevant regurgitation or hemolysis. More recently, interventional cardiologic techniques are of growing interest. This report depicts 3 patients who required surgical treatment for interventional complications. Current challenges and indications for this evolving technology are discussed.