Glycar grew out of efforts to develop a new biologic artificial mitral valve. The valve had a flexible ring attached to the annulus and and cordal flaps fastened to the papillary muscles. This was a revolutionary design that imitated nature. The aldehyde tanned bovine pericardial tissue was treated with propylene glycol which capped any residual unlinked aldehyde groups. This changed the tanned pericardium into a biocompatible material with minimal inflammatory reaction and very much reduced tendency to calcify when implanted into juveniles.

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