This study investigated the causes of paravalvular leak after mitral valve replacement. The authors conducted echocardiographic examinations of 128 patients and found that paravalvular leaks accounted for only a small proportion of regurgitant jets, while other causes, such as incomplete mitral valve closure or annular dilation, were more common. They suggested that further research is needed to identify the best strategies for detecting and managing these other sources of regurgitant jets.

Yu Hirase, MD Yurie Obata, MD Isaac Y. Wu, MD Hitoshi Sato, MD Tomoya Sato, MD Keiichi Itatani, MD, PhD Teiji Sawa, MD, PhD Koichi Akiyama, MD, PhD, "Paravalvular Leak After Mitral Valve Replacement or Another Source for a Regurgitant Jet?", Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, VOLUME 36, ISSUE 6 (2021) 10.1053/j.jvca.2021.11.037.