CryoLife, Inc. Announces Implant of World's First Decellularized CryoValve-SG Human Heart Valve

ATLANTA--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 23, 2000--CryoLife, Inc. (NYSE:CRY), the leader in the development and commercialization of living human tissue implantable devices and a manufacturer and distributor of stentless heart valves and surgical adhesives, today announced that the first decellularized human allograft pulmonary heart valve, using CryoLife's patented process, was successfully implanted in a 28 year old female patient.

The surgery was performed by Ronald C. Elkins, M.D., Chief, Section of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a consultant to and director of CryoLife, Inc. The patient was selected because she had experienced an elevated PRA (Panel Reactive Antibodies) test to previous human heart valve implants.

The Company's patented process, a tissue-engineering technology, developed by CryoLife scientists over an eight year period, enables the depopulation of donor human heart valve cells leaving a collagen matrix that has the normal functionality of a human heart valve.

CryoLife, Inc. is recommending the new CryoValve(R)-SG human heart valve for use in pediatric and adult patients who may have elevated PRA responses to previous heart valve implants and for patients who have had an exaggerated calcification reaction.

Steven G. Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of CryoLife, Inc., said, "The CryoValve-SG, human heart valve processing method represents the latest development in the Company's continuing pursuit of new tissue-engineered biologic devices. Company scientists are currently developing tissue-engineered vascular and orthopaedic devices that, if successful, could represent major advancements in human implant technology, and have the potential to address medical limitations caused by shortages of donor tissues."

Founded in 1984, CryoLife, Inc. is the leader in the development and commercialization of implantable living human tissues for use in cardiovascular, vascular, and orthopaedic surgeries throughout the United States and Canada. The Company's BioGlue(R) surgical adhesive is approved as an adjunct for acute thoracic aortic dissections under HDE regulations in the United States and is CE marked in the European Union and approved in Canada for use in vascular and pulmonary sealing and repair. The Company also manufactures CryoLife-O'Brien(R) and CryoLife-Ross(R) stentless porcine heart valves, which are distributed within the European Community.

Statements made in this press release that look forward in time involve risks and uncertainties and are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such risks and uncertainties include the possibility that the CryoValve-SG processed valves may not prove as desirable as presently anticipated, and that the tissue-engineered vascular and orthopaedic devices under development may not prove efficacious. Additional risks and uncertainties that could affect the forward-looking statements contained herein include changes in economic cycles, competition from other companies, changes in laws and governmental regulations applicable to the Company and other risk factors detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Company's Prospectus dated March 30, 1998, contained in its Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-46545).

For additional information about the Company, visit CryoLife's web site: http://www.cryolife.com

     CONTACT:  CryoLife Inc., Atlanta
               Roy Vogeltanz, 800/438-8285