Outcomes After Paravalvular Leak Closure: Transcatheter Versus Surgical Approaches

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of transcatheter intervention (TI) versus surgical intervention (SI) for paravalvular leak (PVL). Background Data comparing the treatment of PVL with TI and SI are limited. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted comparing baseline characteristics, procedural details, and 1-year survival in consecutive patients who underwent TI or SI for moderate or greater PVL from 2007 to 2016. The primary outcome was a composite of death, reintervention for PVL, or readmission for congestive heart failure–related symptoms at 1 year. Results Of 114 patients, 56 underwent TI and 58 underwent SI. PVL locations were mitral, aortic, and pulmonary in 69 (60.5%), 39 (34.2%), and 6 (5.3%) patients, respectively. At baseline, TI patients were older (age 71 vs. 62 years; p = 0.010) and had fewer cases of active endocarditis (0.0% vs. 25.9%, p < 0.001) than SI patients. The TI group had a shorter post-operative stay (4 vs. 8 days; p < 0.001), a shorter intensive care unit stay (0 vs. 3 days; p < 0.001), and fewer readmissions at 30 days (8.9% vs. 25.9%; p = 0.017). There were no differences in the primary endpoint (TI 33.9% vs. SI 39.7%; p = 0.526) or 1-year survival (TI 83.9% vs. SI 75.9%; p = 0.283) between groups. Conclusions In this study, TI for PVL closure had comparable 1-year clinical outcomes with SI, even after adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics, with less in-hospital morbidity and 30-day rehospitalization. Although further study is needed, these findings support the increased implementation of TI for PVL closure at experienced institutions.