We retrospectively analyzed early and late results for two treatment strategies of significant coronary artery disease in 310 octogenarians seen in the last 10 years. One hundred five patients 80 or more years of age had percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and 205 had coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The PTCA group differed from the CABG group in having a greater proportion of women (71.4% versus 45.8%; p < 0.001); fewer patients with unstable angina (24.7% versus 33.6%; p < 0.04), acute myocardial infarction (11% versus 23%; p < 0.04), three-vessel coronary artery disease (20% versus 56%; p < 0.0001), and a left ventricular ejection fraction less than or equal to 0.30 (10% versus 21%; p < 0.008); and fewer vessels revascularized (1.2 +/- 0.6 versus 3.5 +/- 0.9; p < 0.0001). Hospital mortality was 8.57% after PTCA (9/14 failed PTCA) and 5.8% after CABG (4/14 emergent, 6/101 urgent, and 2/90 elective). Hospital stay was 7 +/- 0.9 days after PTCA and 14 +/- 1.5 days after CABG (p < 0.01). Independent predictors of hospital mortality obtained by multivariate analysis included failed PTCA and acute myocardial infarction (PTCA group), a left ventricular ejection fraction equal to or less than 0.30, and acute myocardial infarction and emergency CABG (CABG group). Survivors after both CABG and PTCA showed a significant improvement in their New York Heart Association class. Actuarial survival at 5 years after PTCA was 55% and after CABG it was 66% (p < 0.01). Cardiac event-free survival (deaths, myocardial infarction, PTCA, CABG) at 3 years was 61% after PTCA and 81% after CABG (p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)