BACKGROUND Single-vessel coronary artery disease is usually treated with PTCA; however, this approach when applied to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) is hampered by high restenosis rates, often approaching 50%. Coronary stenting (STENT) and left internal mammary artery bypass grafting of the LAD (LIMA-LAD) are other options that have been successfully used for single-vessel LAD disease. The optimal mode of revascularization for patients with isolated single-vessel LAD disease is unclear. The purpose of the present study was to examine PTCA versus STENT versus LIMA-LAD with respect to short- and intermediate-term outcomes. RESULTS This was an observational retrospective cohort study comparing in-hospital and intermediate-term outcomes and functional class among patients with isolated single-vessel LAD disease revascularization. Consecutive eligible patients were grouped according to their initial revascularization procedure and systematically followed up. A total of 704 patients qualified for the study: 469 in the PTCA group, 137 in the STENT group, and 98 in the LIMA-LAD group. Follow-up data were complete for 97% of patients and averaged 27+/-13 months. In-hospital mortality for the PTCA, STENT, and LIMA-LAD groups was 1.1%, 0%, and 0% (P=0.51), respectively. Median hospital stays after the procedure for the respective treatment groups were 1, 1, and 5 days (P<0.001), and occurrences of in-hospital myocardial infarction were 0.9%, 1.5%, and 1.0% (P=NS). Repeat revascularization procedures were performed in 30%, 24%, and 5% of the PTCA, STENT, and LIMA-LAD groups (P=<0. 001 for LIMA-LAD versus other groups, P=0.11 for PTCA versus STENT). Actuarial 2-year mortality was 3.9%, 2.6%, and 1% in the PTCA, STENT, and LIMA-LAD groups (P=0.33). CONCLUSIONS Revascularization for isolated LAD disease using PTCA, STENT, or LIMA-LAD results in low in-hospital adverse event rates and good long-term results. Repeat procedures are required less often after LIMA-LAD than after either PTCA or STENT. Long-term mortality was not statistically different, but the trend was for the lowest mortality with LIMA-LAD, a somewhat higher mortality with STENT, and the highest mortality with PTCA.