Anaphylaxis to Bovine Serum Albumin Tissue Adhesive in a Non–Meat-Allergic Patient

Clark et al discuss the case of anaphylaxis to bovine serum albumin tissue adhesive in a non-meat-allergic patient. BioGlue (Cryolife) is a surgical adhesive that has been used since 1998 as an adjunct to standard methods of achieving hemostasis in adult patients during open surgical repair of large vessels. The adhesive is therefore commonly used as surgical sealant in thoracic surgery. A 67-year-old atopic man was admitted to hospital for treatment of an aortic aneurysm. A Bentall procedure was performed using BioGlue. The patient experienced anaphylactic shock with bronchospasm and hypotension shortly after application and was treated with crystalloids, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and salbutamol.