CryoLife's BioGlue Surgical Adhesive Presented at Aortic Surgery Symposium

ATLANTA, May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 a presentation on the results of a clinical study in Canada made on the use of BioGlue(R) surgical adhesive as an adjunct in the repair of thoracic aortic dissections was made at the Aortic Surgery Symposium, held in New York City, April 27 and 28, 2000. Dr. Ehud Raanani, Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada, delivered the presentation on Friday, April 28, 2000.

The Canadian study involving 26 patients reviewed the clinical efficacy of using BioGlue to adhere to and reinforce the walls of aortic tissue in the repair of acute aortic dissections, a life-threatening condition. According to Dr. Lee Errett, co-author of the study, and Chief, Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at St. Michael's, "All of the surgeons involved in the clinical study indicated that BioGlue facilitated the repair of acute aortic dissections, making the surgical procedure easier and safer."

On January 19, 2000, CryoLife, Inc., announced that BioGlue was approved by the Canadian Government's Therapeutic Products Programme (TPP) for use in vascular and pulmonary repair. The TPP is comparable to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. BioGlue was approved for distribution in the U.S. in December 1999 by the FDA under a Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) as an adjunct for the repair of acute thoracic aortic dissections.

BioGlue was introduced in Europe in April 1998 under a CE certification mark. BioGlue is currently in commercial distribution in 35 countries worldwide for approved applications in vascular and pulmonary repair.

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, CE marked in the European Union for use in vascular and pulmonary sealing and repair, is distributed throughout Europe. 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 future human clinical BioGlue results will prove less encouraging or that BioGlue surgical adhesive will not be found to be effective in reducing bleeding in humans, the Company's dependence on cryopreservation of human tissue, the possibility of rapid technological change, uncertainties regarding products in development, 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 Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.

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

SOURCE CryoLife, Inc.

CONTACT: Ashley Lee, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CryoLife, Inc., 800-438-8285/