EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                         CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                             INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Selected
Consolidated Financial Data" and "Experts" and to the use of our report dated
February 9, 1998, in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3,
333-46545) and related Prospectus of CryoLife, Inc. and any additional
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of
1933 at or before 10:00 pm EST on the date the Registration Statement referred
to above becomes effective.



                                                /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
                                                --------------------
                                                Ernst & Young LLP





Atlanta, Georgia
March 2, 1998



 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                         CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                             INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to the
use of our report dated February 5, 1997 with respect to the financial
statements of Ideas for Medicine, Inc. included in Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement (Form S-3, 333-46545) and related Prospectus of CryoLife,
Inc. and any additional Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of
the Securities Act of 1933 at or before 10:00 pm EST on the date the
Registration Statement referred to above becomes effective.


                                                /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
                                                ---------------------
                                                Ernst & Young LLP





Atlanta, Georgia
March 2, 1998