What is it? BioGlue is an animal-based sealant that is made of a bovine serum albumin (a cow protein) and a chemical called glutaraldehyde. How does it work? The cow protein and the chemical join in the patient's tissue to seal the area, like a glue. This product can also seal non-tissue materials such as plastic artificial arteries, by filling in gaps and plugging the holes in the material. When is it used? BioGlue is used to help seal leaks around sutures (surgical stitches) or staples in large blood vessels such as the aorta or the femoral and carotid arteries. What will it accomplish? In a research study, BioGlue successfully sealed leaking suture areas in 61% of patients compared to only 39% of patients who did not receive the BioGlue.
When should it not be used? BioGlue should not be used: in patients who are allergic to bovine (cow) materials, inside the blood vessels, to correct problems with blood vessels in the brain, instead of sutures or staples, when infection is present, where there will be contact with nerve tissue or heart valve tissue, inside the heart, in children because the chemical glutaraldehyde has been connected with calcification (calcium buildup).
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