Percutaneous closure of prosthetic paravalvular leaks.

Paravalvular leaks (PVLs) are relatively common after valve replacement. These leaks are usually small and disappear during the follow-up. Symptomatic PVLs occur in 1% to 2% of patients undergoing valve replacement.

Inflammatory response and postoperative kidney failure in patients with diabetes type 2 or impaired glucose tolerance undergoing heart valve surgery.

Background: Diabetes type 2 (DM) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are linked with a 3-fold increased risk of renal failure after heart valve surgery. The increase of proinflammatory cytokines is detected in patients with DM or IGT, moreover cardiac surgery promotes the proinflammatory response, which may be responsible for the development of postoperative kidney failure.

Aim: To assess the impact of perioperative pro- and antiinflammatory reaction after heart valve surgery and other clinical parameters on the risk of postoperative acute kidney injury in patients with DM or IGT.