A number of risk factors in a patient with a prosthetic heart valuve may be associated with development of a paravalvular leak.
Patient selection: prosthetic valve
Risk factors for the development of a paravalvular leak:
(1) annular calcification
(2) tissue friability
(3) prior endocarditis or other inflammation
(4) recent start of corticosteroid therapy
(5) paravalvular abscess
(6) mechanical implant
(7) supra-annular placement
(8) suturing method
(9) suture dehiscence
