Debt	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Debt [Abstract]
Debt	8. Debt *GE Credit Agreement* On October 28, 2011 CryoLife amended and restated its March 26, 2008 credit agreement with GE Capital (the "GE Credit Agreement") which provides revolving credit for working capital, acquisitions, and other corporate purposes. The amendment increased the borrowing capacity under the GE Credit Agreement from $15.0 million to $20.0 million (including a letter of credit subfacility) and extended the expiration from October 31, 2011 to October 28, 2014. The initial commitment may continue to be reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to the terms of the GE Credit Agreement. Since 2009, as requested by the German courts, the Company has been maintaining a letter of credit relating to the Company's patent infringement legal proceeding against Tenaxis, Inc. in Germany, which reduces the aggregate borrowing capacity. The letter of credit had a one-year initial term and automatically renews for additional one-year periods. The GE Credit Agreement places limitations on the amount that the Company may borrow and includes various affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants such as a requirement that CryoLife (i) not exceed a defined leverage ratio, (ii) maintain a minimum adjusted earnings subject to defined adjustments as of specified dates, and (iii) not make or commit capital expenditures in excess of a defined limitation. As required under the terms of the GE Credit Agreement, the Company is maintaining cash and cash equivalents of at least $5.0 million in accounts in which GE Capital has a first priority perfected lien. These amounts are recorded as restricted securities as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, as they are restricted for the term of the GE Credit Agreement. Also, the GE Credit Agreement requires that after giving effect to a stock repurchase the Company maintain liquidity, as defined within the agreement, of at least $20.0 million. The GE Credit Agreement includes customary conditions on incurring new indebtedness and prohibits payments of cash dividends on the Company's common stock. There is no restriction on the payment of stock dividends. Commitment fees are paid based on the unused portion of the facility. As of December 31, 2011 the Company was in compliance with the covenants of the GE Credit Agreement. Amounts borrowed under the GE Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets of CryoLife and its subsidiaries and bear interest as determined by GE Capital at either LIBOR, with a minimum rate of 4.25%, or GE Capital's base rate, with a minimum rate of 3.25% each, plus the applicable margin. As of December 31, 2011 the outstanding balance of the GE Credit Agreement was zero, the aggregate interest rate was 6.50%, and the remaining availability was $19.8 million. As of December 31, 2010 the outstanding balance of the GE Credit Agreement was zero, the aggregate interest rate was 6.25%, and the remaining availability was $14.8 million. *Other* In March 2010 the Company entered into an agreement to finance approximately $1.2 million in insurance premiums at a 2.707% annual interest rate, which was payable in equal monthly payments over a nine-month period. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010 the aggregate outstanding balances under this agreement were zero. Total interest expense was $142,000, $180,000, and $83,000 in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, which included interest on debt, uncertain tax positions, and capital leases.

8. Debt

GE Credit Agreement

On October 28, 2011 CryoLife amended and restated its March 26, 2008 credit agreement with GE Capital (the "GE Credit Agreement") which provides revolving credit for working capital, acquisitions, and other corporate purposes. The amendment increased the borrowing capacity under the GE Credit Agreement from $15.0 million to $20.0 million (including a letter of credit subfacility) and extended the expiration from October 31, 2011 to October 28, 2014. The initial commitment may continue to be reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to the terms of the GE Credit Agreement. Since 2009, as requested by the German courts, the Company has been maintaining a letter of credit relating to the Company's patent infringement legal proceeding against Tenaxis, Inc. in Germany, which reduces the aggregate borrowing capacity. The letter of credit had a one-year initial term and automatically renews for additional one-year periods.

The GE Credit Agreement places limitations on the amount that the Company may borrow and includes various affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants such as a requirement that CryoLife (i) not exceed a defined leverage ratio, (ii) maintain a minimum adjusted earnings subject to defined adjustments as of specified dates, and (iii) not make or commit capital expenditures in excess of a defined limitation. As required under the terms of the GE Credit Agreement, the Company is maintaining cash and cash equivalents of at least $5.0 million in accounts in which GE Capital has a first priority perfected lien. These amounts are recorded as restricted securities as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, as they are restricted for the term of the GE Credit Agreement. Also, the GE Credit Agreement requires that after giving effect to a stock repurchase the Company maintain liquidity, as defined within the agreement, of at least $20.0 million. The GE Credit Agreement includes customary conditions on incurring new indebtedness and prohibits payments of cash dividends on the Company's common stock. There is no restriction on the payment of stock dividends. Commitment fees are paid based on the unused portion of the facility. As of December 31, 2011 the Company was in compliance with the covenants of the GE Credit Agreement.

Amounts borrowed under the GE Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets of CryoLife and its subsidiaries and bear interest as determined by GE Capital at either LIBOR, with a minimum rate of 4.25%, or GE Capital's base rate, with a minimum rate of 3.25% each, plus the applicable margin. As of December 31, 2011 the outstanding balance of the GE Credit Agreement was zero, the aggregate interest rate was 6.50%, and the remaining availability was $19.8 million. As of December 31, 2010 the outstanding balance of the GE Credit Agreement was zero, the aggregate interest rate was 6.25%, and the remaining availability was $14.8 million.

Other

In March 2010 the Company entered into an agreement to finance approximately $1.2 million in insurance premiums at a 2.707% annual interest rate, which was payable in equal monthly payments over a nine-month period. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010 the aggregate outstanding balances under this agreement were zero.

Total interest expense was $142,000, $180,000, and $83,000 in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively, which included interest on debt, uncertain tax positions, and capital leases.