Assessment of paravalvular regurgitation following TAVR: a proposal of unifying grading scheme

Abstract

Paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) is a frequent complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement that has been shown to be associated with increased mortality. The objective of this article is to review the most up-to-date information about the assessment and management of PVR and to propose a new more comprehensive and unifying scheme for grading PVR severity. A multimodality, multiparametric, integrative approach including Doppler echocardiography, cineangiography, hemodynamic assessment, and/or cardiac magnetic resonance is essential to accurately assess the severity of PVR and the underlying etiology. Corrective procedures such as balloon post-dilation, valve-in-valve, or leak closure may be considered, depending on the severity, location, and etiology of PVR.

Keywords: Doppler echocardiography; aortic regurgitation; aortic stenosis; cardiac magnetic resonance; transcatheter aortic valve replacement; transcatheter heart valve.