To assess the short-term outcome of percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for post-infarction angina in elderly patients, we have retrospectively evaluated the results of 88 procedures of PTCA (98 lesions attempted), performed for post-infarction angina (PIA), in 84 patients of > or = 65 years (elderly group), and compared the results obtained with those of 165 PTCAs (200 lesions attempted) in 161 patients of < 65 years old with PIA (young group). Angiographic success was obtained in 91 (93%) vs. 181 (91%) of lesions attempted in the groups, respectively. Complete revascularization was achieved in 54 (61%) patients treated in the elderly group vs. 106 (65%) in the young group. PTCA success was obtained in 78 (89%) procedures vs. 147 (89%) of both groups. No patients required emergency coronary surgery, two patients (2%) had a reinfarction in the elderly group vs. five patients (3%) in the young group, and two patients died (one in the elderly and one in the young group). In conclusion, PTCA for PIA in elderly patients provides a high clinical success rate with a low frequency of complications, similar to the results obtained in young patients.