Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was being performed with increased frequency in elderly patients. However, the results of operations in patients over the age of 80 years have not been previously reported in Japan. Between May 1988 and September 1994, we have performed CABG in 28 patients over the 80 years of age (group A: mean 82.2). These patients were compared with 240 patients in 60s (group B: mean 65.0). Mean New York Association functional class (NYHA) was significantly higher in group A (p < 0.01). Left main trunk stenosis was more frequent in group A patients (p < 0.01), while the number of diseased vessels did not differ. Preoperative use of an intra-aortic balloon pump (29%) and emergency operation (54%) were more frequent in group A patients (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the number of grafts per patient between the groups (2.93 for group A versus 2.93 for group B), but the internal mammary artery was used more frequently in group B patients (99% versus 39%, p < 0.01). In group A, the major complicatines were stroke, cardiac tamponade, reoperatin for bleeding and respiratory failure in 1 patient each (3.6%). The hospital mortality did not differ between the groups (0% for group A and 2.9% for group B). In group A, at mean follow-up of 16.3 months, 25 patients (89%) are alive and no patient had recurrent angina. We conclude that CABG in patients over 80 years of age can be performed with low mortality and significant symptomatic benefit. Patients should not be denied CABG because of age alone.