Ninety-four patients 70 years of age and older underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between 1979 and 1985. Thirty-two percent were females. An internal mammary artery was used in 49% and concomitant cardiac procedures were performed in 51% of the operations. Early mortality was 12%. Five of 11 early deaths were from non-cardiac causes: ascending aortic disease (2), cerebral damage (2) and septicaemia (1). Postoperative morbidity included neurological complications in 16%, reoperation for bleeding in 12%, mediastinitis or sternal dehiscence in 4% and perioperative acute myocardial infarction in 4%. At follow-up, a median of 2.5 years after surgery, 83% were completely free from angina, 5% much improved, 9% improved and 3% had unchanged symptoms of angina. Actuarial survival, inclusive of early mortality, was 84% at 3 years. Female sex and concomitant cardiac surgery were common in elderly patients who had CABG. Early mortality from noncardiac causes and postoperative morbidity were increased but dramatic relief of symptoms was achieved in the majority of survivors.