Does glutaraldehyde induce calcification of bioprosthetic tissues?

Background. Glutaraldehyde has been said to be responsible in part for the calcification of glutaraldehyde-treated tissues after implantation in anima ls or humans. We investigated whether the origin of the tissue, autologous or heterologous, could have a more prominent role in the process of calcifi cation. Methods. Three-month-old sheep received sheep pericardial samples (n = 133) and human pericardial samples (n = 123) implanted subcutaneously. Samples were treated with 0.6% glutaraldehyde for 5, 10, or 20 minutes or 7 days an d then rinsed thoroughly before implantation. Samples were then retrieved a fter 3 months. Calcium content was assessed by spectrophometry. Results. The results show a low calcium content in the autologous group (me an 1.14 +/- 2.07) and a high calcium content in the heterologous group (mea n 38.97 +/- 26). These results were the same regardless of the duration of the treatment. Conclusions. Glutaraldehyde treatment (0.6%) does not play a significant ro le in the calcification of glutaraldehyde-treated tissue regardless of the origin, autologous or heterologous, of the tissue. Glutaraldehyde-treated a utologous tissues are associated with an incidence of calcification lower t han heterologous tissues. (C) 1998 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.