Percutaneous Transcatheter Closure of Prosthetic Mitral Paravalvular Leaks : Are We There Yet?

A potential complication of mitral valve replacement surgery is the development of a paravalvular leak (PVL). Percutaneous transcatheter closures of PVLs using a wide array of devices have been reported in the literature, although the procedural success rate of this approach remains variable. One major challenge of transcatheter mitral PVL closure lies in the ability to adequately visualize the area of interest to facilitate defect crossing and equipment selection. Furthermore, the current spectrum of devices available for off-label use in the closure of these unique defects remains limited. This review examines the current state of transcatheter prosthetic mitral PVL closure, describes our institution's experience using advanced imaging modalities for procedural guidance, and illustrates some of the limitations associated with using existing devices in transcatheter PVL closure.