Repair of mitral paravalvular leak using left atrial appendage tissue

Paravalvular leak after mitral valve replacement causes serious symptoms such as heart failure and haemolysis. However, whether re-replacement or direct leak site repair is the appropriate surgical treatment for this condition remains controversial. Herein, we describe a case of paravalvular leak repaired using left atrial appendage tissue with excellent results. The proposed technique enables the repair of a leak at the 9 o'clock position with healthy, full-thickness autologous tissue. For this method, the leak must be located near the left atrial appendage, and the left atrial appendage must not adhere to the pericardial sac. Although this technique can only be used under specific conditions, it is a useful option for cardiac surgeons.