BACKGROUND The immediate and long-term outcomes of reoperative coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) (n = 1561) and catheter-based coronary intervention (angioplasty) (n = 2613) were compared in patients from Emory University Hospitals who had previous CABG. RESULTS The surgical and angioplasty procedures and statistical methods were standard. Data were collected prospectively and entered into a computerized database. Followup was by letter, telephone, or additional events resulting in readmission. In the angioplasty group, 2.9% required in-hospital CABG. Hospital mortality was 1.2% after angioplasty versus 6.8% after repeat CABG (P < .0001). Recurrent angina was noted frequently at about 4 years and was more common after angioplasty. One-, 5-, and 10-year mortalities were 11%, 24%, and 49% after CABG versus 6%, 22%, and 38% after angioplasty. Survival corrected for baseline differences did not vary with the choice of procedure. There were more additional procedures after angioplasty. Patients undergoing angioplasty may be divided into those with procedures only in native coronary arteries (n = 1545), only in vein grafts (n = 869), and a mixture (n = 199), with respective 10 year survivals of 66%, 56%, and 65% (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS These patients have a high incidence of events both in-hospital and in the long term. Although initial mortality was higher after CABG, after baseline differences were accounted for, there was no difference in the long term. Patients more frequently have additional procedures after angioplasty. Choice of therapy should consider clinical and angiographic suitability and patient preference.