Glutaraldehyde Technological Frontier: Breakthrough in Anti-Calcification Technology

In the field of cardiovascular implants, glutaraldehyde has long been used to treat animal tissues (such as bovine pericardium) for the production of bioprosthetic valves. However, residual free aldehyde groups from traditional processes can lead to post-implantation calcification, compromising the long-term durability of the products.

Addressing this challenge, a latest study published in April 2025 introduced a novel anti-calcification treatment solution (product name: Periborn), achieving remarkable progress.

1.Core Technological Upgrades:

This solution introduces several key improvements to the traditional glutaraldehyde cross-linking process:

Organic Solvent Cross-Linking:
Glutaraldehyde cross-linking is performed in an organic solvent composed of 75% ethanol + 5% octanol. This approach helps more effectively remove tissue phospholipids during cross-linking—phospholipids being the primary nucleation sites for calcification.

Space-Filling Agent:

After cross-linking, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used as a space-filling agent, infiltrating the gaps between collagen fibers. This both shields the nucleation sites of hydroxyapatite crystals and prevents the infiltration of calcium and phospholipids from host plasma.

Terminal Sealing:

Finally, treatment with glycine neutralizes residual, reactive free aldehyde groups, thereby eliminating another key factor that triggers calcification and cytotoxicity.

2.Outstanding Clinical Results:

This technology has been applied to a bovine pericardial scaffold named “Periborn.” A clinical follow-up study covering 352 patients over 9 years demonstrated a freedom from reoperation due to product-related issues as high as 95.4%, confirming the effectiveness of this new anti-calcification strategy and its exceptional long-term durability.

Significance of This Breakthrough:

It not only addresses a long-standing challenge in the field of bioprosthetic valves, extending product lifespan, but also injects new vitality into the application of glutaraldehyde in high-end biomedical materials.