CryoLife Announces First Implant of Combination Aortic-Mitral Allograft Heart Valve at the Clevel...( ATLANTA May 12 /- CryoLife Inc. (...),Health

ATLANTA, May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CryoLife, Inc. (NYSE: CRY), a biomaterials, medical device and tissue processing company, today announced the first implantation of the combination aortic-mitral allograft heart valve in a patient at the Cleveland Clinic. The surgery was performed by Dr. Jose Navia, a cardiac surgeon with the Heart and Vascular Institute at the Cleveland Clinic.

The method used to process the combination aortic-mitral human heart valve was developed by CryoLife in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic. The innovative valve was developed as a replacement option for patients with infective endocarditis involving both the aortic and mitral valves. Infective endocarditis is a condition in which the structures of the heart, particularly the heart valves, are infected.

"Infections involving both the mitral and aortic valves put patients at very high risk for serious complications that can result in death," said Dr. Navia. "With the new human tissue combination aortic-mitral heart valve, we are hoping to provide an infection-resistant treatment option to offer patients."

Dr. Navia developed the concept for the aortic and mitral valve replacement option and is a paid consultant for CryoLife.

"It was very exciting to work closely with the Cleveland Clinic on this breakthrough development in cardiac reconstruction procedures," said Steven G. Anderson, president and CEO of CryoLife. "At CryoLife, we are dedicated to advancing technology for the treatment of patients suffering from complex cardiac disease. The new aortic-mitral allograft heart valve is a wonderful new option for patients suffering from infective endocarditis."

About Infective Endocarditis

Infective endocarditis is a
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