Paravalvular leak (PVL) is not an unfrequent complication after heart valve replacement procedures. This condition occurs in 2–10 % and 7–17 % of aortic and mitral valve replacements respectively[1–3]. Numerous procedural and patient factors have been associated with PVL development[4]. Although the majority of PVLs are subclinical, about 3 % of patients develop severe heart failure, hemolysis or a combination of both requiring re-intervention[5–7].
