Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Feb. 10, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Central Index Key	0000784199
Entity Registrant Name	CRYOLIFE INC
Trading Symbol	CRY
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		27,711,808
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Public Float			$ 143,673,628
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No