CryoLife®'s In House Pathology department was formed in 1995 to ensure Medical Examiners and Coroners have timely access to all available evidence and information to determine the cause and manner of death. Since then, we have provided pathology services on more than 17,000 hearts. Over 50% of all hearts processed by CryoLife go through our cardiac pathology program with approximately 20% of these coming from pediatric donors

By maintaining an in-house pathology department, we are able to provide the following services:

• Conduct a basic gross description of the heart with weight measurement performed prior to dissection;
• Complete a gross and microscopic examination of the residual heart tissue;
• Provide a thorough cardiac pathology report with pertinent gross and microscopic images;
• Return the residual heart tissue and microscopic slides to the local Medical Examiner and Coroner upon request.

Additionally, CryoLife has the capability to transmit microscopic images through the Internet for live consultation on findings of interest.

By employing pathologists and conducting this program in-house, CryoLife can individually meet the needs of the Medical Examiners, Coroners and recovery agencies with whom we work.

Cardiac Pathology Program