Four novel suture-sealing techniques to repair varying size paravalvular leaks.

BACKGROUND

Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a well-known complication of aortic valve replacement. Currently, there is no consensus on optimal intraoperative management of patients with mild-to-moderate or moderate PVL.

TECHNIQUE: In this paper we present four novel surgical techniques, each combining suturing with sealing technique, to repair aortic PVLs, nullifying the need to replace the prosthesis.

CONCLUSION

These techniques will offer cardiac surgeons new alternatives to the repair techniques currently used.