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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                        --------------------------------

                                    FORM 8-K
                        --------------------------------


                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

       DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): NOVEMBER 2, 2005

                             -----------------------

                                 CRYOLIFE, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                            -------------------------



                                                                                   
                FLORIDA                                 1-13165                              59-2417093
     (State or Other Jurisdiction              (Commission File Number)                     (IRS Employer
           of Incorporation)                                                             Identification No.)


              1655 ROBERTS BOULEVARD, N.W., KENNESAW, GEORGIA 30144
               (Address of principal executive office) (zip code)

       REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (770) 419-3355

          -------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

                            -------------------------

     Check the  appropriate  box below if the Form 8-K  filing  is  intended  to
simultaneously  satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

|_|  Written  communications  pursuant to Rule 425 under the  Securities Act (17
     CFR 230.425)

|_|  Soliciting  material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
     240.14a-12)

|_|  Pre-commencement   communications  pursuant  to  Rule  14d-2(b)  under  the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

|_|  Pre-commencement   communications  pursuant  to  Rule  13e-4(c)  under  the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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ITEM 1.01   ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT.

Amended and Restated Shareholder Rights Plan

     CryoLife,  Inc.  ("CryoLife" or the "Company") has amended and restated its
Rights  Agreement,  which was entered into on November  27, 1995,  to extend its
expiration date to November 23, 2015, and make other changes.  The instrument of
this amendment and restatement is a First Amended and Restated Rights  Agreement
entered into as of November 2, 2005, with such amendments  becoming effective as
of 5:00 p.m.  Eastern  Standard  Time on  November  23, 2005 (as the same may be
amended  from time to time,  the  "Rights  Agreement")  between  the Company and
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent.

     The following summarizes the principal terms of the Rights Agreement and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed  terms and  conditions of
the Rights  Agreement,  a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1 and is
incorporated  herein by reference.  Unless the context otherwise  requires,  the
capitalized  terms used below have the  meanings  ascribed to them in the Rights
Agreement.

     Each share of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Shares"),
outstanding  on December 11, 1995 (the "First  Record  Date") is entitled to one
right (a "Right"),  as defined in and subject to the terms and conditions of the
Rights  Agreement.  Under the Rights  Agreement,  a Right entitles the holder to
purchase  from the  Company  one  one-hundredth  of a share  of  Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per Share (the "Preferred Shares")
at a price of $33.33 per one  one-hundredth  of a Preferred Share (the "Purchase
Price"),  subject  to  adjustment.  Each  share of  Common  Stock  that  becomes
outstanding after the First Record Date is also entitled to a Right,  subject to
the terms of the Rights Agreement.

     Each share of 6% Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Convertible  Shares") of the  Company  outstanding  on  November  23, 2005 (the
"Second Record  Date"),  is entitled to one Right for each share of Common Stock
into which the Convertible  Share is convertible as of the Distribution Date (as
defined in the Rights  Agreement),  subject to the terms and  conditions  of the
Rights  Agreement.  Each Convertible  Share that becomes  outstanding  after the
Second  Record  Date is also  entitled  to a Right,  subject to the terms of the
Rights Agreement.  The Common Shares and Convertible Shares that are entitled to
receive Rights under the Rights Agreement are referred to as Eligible Shares.

     The Rights are evidenced by the  certificates for Eligible Shares until the
earlier of (i) 10 business days following a public announcement that a person or
group  of  affiliated  or  associated  persons  (with  certain  exceptions,   an
"Acquiring  Person")  have acquired  beneficial  ownership of 15% or more of the
outstanding Common Shares or (ii) 10 business days (or such later date as may be
determined by action of the Board of Directors  prior to such time as any person
or group of  affiliated  persons  becomes an  Acquiring  Person)  following  the
commencement  of, or  announcement  of an  intention  to make, a tender offer or
exchange  offer  the  consummation  of  which  would  result  in the  beneficial
ownership by a person or group of 15% or more of the  outstanding  Common Shares
(the earlier of such dates being called the "Distribution Date").

     Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption,  exchange or expiration
of the Rights),  the Rights will be transferred  with and only with the Eligible
Shares.



                                       2


     The Rights  entitle  holders to acquire  company  securities  under defined
circumstances  after the  Distribution  Date.  Rights  beneficially  owned by an
Acquiring Person (and its Affiliates, Associates, and transferees (collectively,
the  "Acquiring  Persons")),  however,  become void from and after the time such
persons  become  Acquiring  Persons,   and  Acquiring  Persons  have  no  rights
whatsoever  under the Rights  Agreement.  The  benefits  of the  Rights  held by
shareholders  that are not  Acquiring  Persons  and that are not so  voided  are
described  below. All references to Rights that follow refer only to Rights held
by persons who are not Acquiring Persons.

     As  soon  as  practicable   following  the  Distribution   Date,   separate
certificates  evidencing  the Rights  ("Right  Certificates")  will be mailed to
holders  of record of the  Eligible  Shares as of the close of  business  on the
Distribution  Date and such separate Right  Certificates  will thereafter  alone
evidence the Rights.  The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date
and expire on November 23, 2015 (the "Final Expiration Date"),  unless the Final
Expiration  Date is  advanced  or  extended  or unless the  Rights  are  earlier
redeemed or exchanged by the Company,  in each case, as described below. Until a
Right is exercised, the Right confers no rights as a stockholder of the Company,
including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.

     The  Rights  entitle  holders  to  purchase  Preferred  Shares  in  certain
circumstances. The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Preferred Shares or
other securities or property  issuable,  upon exercise of the Rights are subject
to adjustment from time to time to prevent  dilution (i) in the event of a stock
dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Preferred
Shares, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Preferred Shares of certain rights
or  warrants  to  subscribe  for or  purchase  Preferred  Shares at a price,  or
securities  convertible into Preferred Shares with a conversion price, less than
the  then-current  market  price  of the  Preferred  Shares  or  (iii)  upon the
distribution to holders of the Preferred  Shares of evidences of indebtedness or
assets  (excluding  regular  periodic  cash  dividends or  dividends  payable in
Preferred  Shares)  or of  subscription  rights or  warrants  (other  than those
referred  to  above).  The  number of  outstanding  Rights and the number of one
one-hundredths  of a Preferred  Share  issuable  upon exercise of each Right are
also subject to adjustment in the event of a stock dividend on the Common Shares
payable in Common Shares or subdivisions,  consolidations or combinations of the
Common Shares occurring, in any such case, prior to the Distribution Date.

     Preferred  Shares  purchasable  upon  exercise  of the  Rights  will not be
redeemable.  Each Preferred Share will be entitled, when, as and if declared, to
a minimum preferential quarterly dividend payment of $1.00 per share but will be
entitled to an aggregate  dividend of 100 times the dividend declared per Common
Share. In the event of liquidation,  the holders of the Preferred Shares will be
entitled to a minimum  preferential  liquidation  payment of $1.00 per share but
will be  entitled  to an  aggregate  payment of 100 times the  payment  made per
Common Share. Each Preferred Share will have 100 votes, voting together with the
Common  Shares.  Finally,  in the event of any  merger,  consolidation  or other
transaction in which Common Shares are exchanged,  each Preferred  Share will be
entitled to receive 100 times the amount received per Common Share. These rights
are protected by customary antidilution provisions.

     Because of the nature of the Preferred  Shares,  dividend,  liquidation and
voting rights, the value of the one one-hundredth  interest in a Preferred Share
purchasable  upon  exercise of each Right  should  approximate  the value of one
Common Share. In the event that any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person,


                                       3


each holder of a Right will have the right to receive upon  exercise of a Right,
and in lieu of Preferred  Shares,  that number of Common  Shares having a market
value of two times the exercise price of the Right.

     In the event that, after a person or group has become an Acquiring  Person,
the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or
50% or more of its  consolidated  assets  or  earning  power  are  sold,  proper
provision will be made so that each holder of a Right will  thereafter  have the
right to receive,  upon the exercise of a Right and in lieu of Preferred  Shares
or Common  Shares of the  Company,  that number of shares of common stock of the
person with whom the Company has engaged in the  foregoing  transaction  (or its
parent)  that at the time of such  transaction  will have a market  value of two
times the exercise price of the Right.

     At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and prior
to the  acquisition  by any  person  or group of 50% or more of the  outstanding
Common Shares, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the Rights, in
whole or in part,  at an exchange  ratio of one Common  Share,  or a  fractional
share of  Preferred  Shares  (or  other  preferred  stock)  equivalent  in value
thereto, per Right (subject to adjustment).

     With  certain  exceptions,  no  adjustment  in the  Purchase  Price will be
required until  cumulative  adjustments  require an adjustment of at least 1% in
such Purchase Price. No fractional  Preferred  Shares will be issued (other than
fractions  which are  integral  multiples  of one  one-hundredth  of a Preferred
Share,  which may, at the  election of the Company,  be evidenced by  depository
receipts) and in lieu  thereof,  an adjustment in cash will be made based on the
current market price of the Preferred Shares or the Common Shares.

     At any time prior to the time an Acquiring  Person  becomes such, the Board
of Directors of the Company may redeem the Rights in whole,  but not in part, at
a price of $.001 per Right (the "Redemption  Price")  payable,  at the option of
the Company,  in cash,  Common Shares or such other form of consideration as the
Board of Directors of the Company shall determine.  The redemption of the Rights
may be made  effective  at such time on such basis with such  conditions  as the
Board of Directors in its sole  discretion may establish.  Immediately  upon any
redemption  of the Rights,  the right to exercise the Rights will  terminate and
the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the Redemption Price.

     The Company may amend the Rights Agreement in any manner,  provided,  after
(a) such time as a person  or group  becomes  an  Acquiring  Person,  or (b) the
Distribution  Date,  whichever is earlier,  the Company may not amend the Rights
Agreement in any manner that  adversely  affects the interests of the holders of
the Rights (other than the  interests of an Acquiring  Person or an Affiliate or
Associate of an Acquiring Person).


ITEM 2.02  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

The information  provided pursuant to this Item 2.02 is to be considered "filed"
under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange  Act") and incorporated by
reference into those filings of CryoLife that provide for the  incorporation  of
all reports and documents filed by CryoLife under the Exchange Act.

On November 3, 2005,  CryoLife issued a press release announcing its results for
the quarter ended September 30, 2005.  CryoLife hereby incorporates by reference
herein the  information set forth in its Press Release dated November 3, 2005, a


                                       4


copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.  Except as otherwise  provided
in the press release,  the press release speaks only as of the date of the press
release and the press release shall not create any implication  that the affairs
of CryoLife have continued unchanged since that date.

Except for the historical  information  contained in this report, the statements
made  by  CryoLife  are  forward-looking   statements  that  involve  risks  and
uncertainties. All such statements are subject to the safe harbor created by the
Private  Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  CryoLife's future financial
performance could differ  significantly  from the expectations of management and
from results expressed or implied in the Press Release.  For further information
on  other  risk  factors,  please  refer  to the  "Risk  Factors"  contained  in
CryoLife's  Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004,  CryoLife's Form S-3
(Registration  No.  333-121406),  as filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission  ("SEC") and any  subsequent  SEC  filings.  CryoLife  disclaims  any
obligation or duty to update or modify these forward-looking statements.

Included in Exhibit 99.1,  as attached,  are the  following  non-GAAP  financial
measures:

          o    Adjusted  net loss  excluding  a  charge  for  settlement  of the
               shareholder  class  action  lawsuit,  a  non-cash  charge for the
               change in the value of the derivative related to the Company's 6%
               convertible  preferred  stock  and a charge  for post  employment
               benefits. (1)

          (1)  Adjusted  net loss  excluding  a  charge  for  settlement  of the
          shareholder  class action lawsuit and a non-cash charge for the change
          in the value of the derivative related to the Company's 6% convertible
          preferred  stock is presented and deemed useful by management in order
          to present the  Company's  2005 results as more readily  comparable to
          its 2004 results.  The Company's  2004 numbers do not include  charges
          attributable to the settlement of the shareholder class action lawsuit
          nor  non-cash  charges  for the change in the value of the  derivative
          related to the Company's 6% convertible preferred stock.
          In   addition,   the   Adjusted   Net  Loss   excludes  a  charge  for
          post-employment  benefits.  As noted in the  Company's  Form 8-K dated
          September 9, 2005, the Company's Chief Executive  Officer,  Mr. Steven
          G. Anderson,  entered into a new employment  agreement dated September
          5, 2005. That agreement  included a commitment to pay Mr. Anderson one
          year's  severance,  which  commitment can increase to up to two years'
          severance upon an additional  year of  employment.  The agreement also
          provided for major medical benefits.  In the third quarter the Company
          accrued $701,000, or $0.03 per common share, representing the one-year
          severance  obligation and the major medical  benefits.  The adjustment
          for these post  employment  benefits,  taken  together  with prior and
          subsequent  quarters' results on a GAAP-basis,  permits  management to
          evaluate the Company's financial  performance after taking this change
          into account.  The Company has not accrued similar charges in the last
          two years,  and does not anticipate  entering into similar  agreements
          with any other executive officer.




                                       5




ITEM 3.03 MATERIAL MODIFICATION TO RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

     Please see the disclosure set forth under Item 1.01,  which is incorporated
by reference into this Item 3.03.


ITEM 5.03  AMENDMENTS  TO THE  ARTICLES OF  INCORPORATION  OR BYLAWS;  CHANGE IN
FISCAL YEAR.

     In  connection  with its adoption of the Rights  Agreement,  the  Company's
Board of Directors  approved an amendment to the Company's  Amended and Restated
Articles  of  Incorporation   setting  forth  the  amended  rights,  powers  and
preferences of the Preferred  Shares.  The Company will file the  Certificate of
Amendment to its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation ("Certificate of
Amendment")  with the  Secretary of State of the State of Florida on November 3,
2005, to be effective on November 23, 2005.

     The  information  regarding the Preferred  Shares set forth in Item 1.01 of
this Current  Report on Form 8-K is  incorporated  by  reference  into this Item
5.03. A copy of the  Certificate of Amendment is attached  hereto as Exhibit 3.1
and is incorporated by reference herein.





                                       6




ITEM 9.01  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

     (a) Financial Statements.

     (b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

     (c) Exhibits.

         Exhibit Number       Description
         --------------       -----------
  
               3.1            Certificate   of  Amendment  to  the  Amended  and
                              Restated  Articles of  Incorporation  of CryoLife,
                              Inc.,  classifying  and  designating  the Series A
                              Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

               4.1            First Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated
                              as of November 2, 2005, between CryoLife, Inc. and
                              American  Stock  Transfer & Trust  Company,  which
                              includes  the Form of  Articles  of  Amendment  to
                              Amended and Restated  Articles of Incorporation of
                              CryoLife,  Inc.  at  Exhibit  A, the Form of Right
                              Certificate at Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights
                              to Purchase Preferred Shares as Exhibit C.

               99.1           Press Release, dated November 3, 2005.







                                       7





                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,
CryoLife,  Inc.  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                     CRYOLIFE, INC.



Date:  November 3, 2005              By:  /s/ D. Ashley Lee
                                         -----------------------------------
                                         Name:  D. Ashley Lee
                                         Title: Executive Vice President, Chief 
                                                Operating Officer and Chief 
                                                Financial Officer



                                       8



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


         Exhibit Number       Description
         --------------       -----------
  
               3.1            Certificate   of  Amendment  to  the  Amended  and
                              Restated  Articles of  Incorporation  of CryoLife,
                              Inc.,  classifying  and  designating  the Series A
                              Junior Participating Preferred Stock.

               4.1            First Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated
                              as of November 2, 2005, between CryoLife, Inc. and
                              American  Stock  Transfer & Trust  Company,  which
                              includes  the Form of  Articles  of  Amendment  to
                              Amended and Restated  Articles of Incorporation of
                              CryoLife,  Inc.  at  Exhibit  A, the Form of Right
                              Certificate at Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights
                              to Purchase Preferred Shares as Exhibit C.

               99.1           Press Release, dated November 3, 2005.






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