Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a well-recognized complication following surgical mitral valve replacement, symptomatic PVL has an estimated incidence ranging from 5% to 18%, and remains an important cause of hemolytic anemia, heart failure, and reduced long-term survival. Despite advances in surgical technique, PVL continues to pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

This presentation addresses the multimodality imaging approach required for accurate estimation of mitral PVL, integrating transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography including 3D reconstruction alongside cardiac CT and fluoroscopy for precise defect localization, sizing, and morphological assessment prior to intervention. Therapeutic strategies are reviewed, with a focus on the evolving role of percutaneous transcatheter closure as an alternative to redo surgery in selected high-risk patients, including procedural considerations, device selection, and outcomes reported in the literature.

This presentation aims to provide clinicians with a structured, up-to-date framework for the recognition, imaging work-up, and management of mitral paravalvular leaks in current practice.

Amel Amrouche is an Assistant Professor of Cardiology at the Cardiac Surgery Department of EHS Mohamed Abderrahmani, University of Algiers 1, Faculty of Medicine, Algeria. She is a cardiologist specialized in cardiovascular imaging, with particular expertise in transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, 3D echocardiography, valvular heart disease, prosthetic valve assessment, and structural heart disease. Her clinical background also includes experience in nuclear cardiology and dedicated training in the assessment of congenital heart disease.

Alongside her clinical practice, she is actively involved in medical education and cardiovascular research, with a particular interest in cardiac imaging, valvular heart disease, prosthetic valves, and structural heart interventions. She regularly contributes to national and international scientific meetings and research projects in the field of cardiology and cardiovascular imaging.