title: Closure of perivalvular leaks using an Amplatzer occluder.
abstract: Reoperation of patients with perivalvular leaks due to heart failure or hemolysis is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Percutaneous closure using an Amplatzer device offers a promising alternative. We describe our initial experience between 2004 and 2006, during which we used an Amplatzer device in eight patients for the percutaneous closure of perivalvular leaks (four aortic and four mitral). The patients were all symptomatic and had a high surgical risk. Device placement was successful in all patients with mitral leaks and in three with aortic leaks. There were no periprocedural complications. With four of the seven (57%) device placements, there was a significant reduction in the degree of regurgitation and, at 12-month follow-up, only these four patients showed clinical improvements. Of the other three, one required reoperation and two died of non-cardiovascular causes. Percutaneous closure of perivalvular leaks was feasible and safe and can be regarded as a treatment option in patients with a high surgical risk.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Alonso-Briales
authors.forename: Antonio J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Muñoz-García
authors.forename: Manuel F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Jiménez-Navarro
authors.forename: Antonio J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Domínguez-Franco
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Melero-Tejedor
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Bailón
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hernández-García
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de Teresa-Galván
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012086:Reoperation; D013525:Surgical Instruments