Long-term results of surgical correction for mitral paravalvular leak: repair versus re-replacement.

Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a common clinical manifestation after cardiac valve replacement. The results of surgical management for mitral PVL were evaluated and compared according to the surgery employed.Between September 1995 and September 2009, a total of 52 patients (30 males, 22 females; mean age 57.2 +/- 13.0 years) underwent surgery for mitral PVL. Thirty-five patients (67.3%) underwent multiple cardiac surgeries more than once. PVL was...