This paper describes the determination of glutaraldehyde, gamma-carboxylglutamic acid (gamma-CGA) and calcium concentrations in nine bioprosthetic heart valves after explantation. The glutaraldehyde and gamma-CGA were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) procedures and the calcium by atomic absorption spectrometry. Glutaraldehyde was detectable in only two of these valves at levels of 17% and 2% of that present in an unimplanted valve. The results indicate that there is no correlation between gamma-CGA and calcium deposition, indicating that the gamma-CGA is probably absorbed onto the forming calcium deposit from the circulation and does not contribute to the calcification process, and that the acid hydrolysable glutaraldehyde decreases with time during implantation. There is, however, no correlation between the duration of implantation and the decrease in glutaraldehyde concentration.

How to cite: Hughes, H., Tipton, L. S., Feuchuk, D., Prabhakar, G., Aboul-Enein, H. Y., & Duran, C. M. (1994). Glutaraldehyde, gamma-carboxyglutamic acid and calcium in explanted bioprosthetic heart valves. The Journal of heart valve disease, 3(1), 111–116.