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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 UdLApcnJKgdofRrDjkiOYIJUA+0MkqQqsmx3jo/5ZLx3P6RASYruKY9lEX+WaGu8
 7CcuCoYfZadU01rWz8F8Hw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000914062-09-000211.txt : 20090522
<SEC-HEADER>0000914062-09-000211.hdr.sgml : 20090522
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090520173134
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000914062-09-000211
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090519
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090520
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090520

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BEVEVINO DANIEL J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001186458

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13165
		FILM NUMBER:		09843574

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		R D #1 BOX 36
		CITY:			AVONMORE
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			15618

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CRYOLIFE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000784199
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				592417093
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			FL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1655 ROBERTS BOULEVARD N W
		STREET 2:		STE 142
		CITY:			KENNESAW
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30144
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7704193355

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1655 ROBERTS BOULEVARD N W
		STREET 2:		STE 142
		CITY:			KENNESAW
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30144
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-05-19</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000784199</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CRYOLIFE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CRY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001186458</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BEVEVINO DANIEL J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>CRYOLIFE, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1655 ROBERTS BOULEVARD, NW</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>KENNESAW</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30144</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-05-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents shares of restricted stock that vest on the first anniversary of the grant date if the reporting person remains a member of the Company's board of directors, subject to earlier vesting upon certain events including death, disability and retirement from the board after serving out his full term because the director is not standing for re-election at the end of the term.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ D.A. Lee, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-05-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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