Glutaraldehyde as a fixative in bioprostheses and drug delivery matrices

The use of glutaraldehyde as a fixative in bioprostheses and drug delivery matrices is reviewed. The chemistry of glutaraldehyde cross-linking and its effect on the biological performance of a number of bioprostheses such as tissue heart valves, vascular grafts, pericardial patches, tendon grafts and drug delivery matrices are examined.