The impact of drug-eluting stents (DES) on the characteristics and operative results of patients referred for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was studied. We reviewed data from isolated CABG patients 24 months before (group A, n = 134) and 24 months after (group B, n = 98) the introduction of DES for clinical use at Teikyo University Hospital in Tokyo. Group B patients were significantly older than those of group A (66 +/- 9 versus 69 +/- 9 years old). The number of diseased vessels was significantly larger in group B (2.5 +/- 0.6 versus 2.7 +/- 0.5) and left main trunk disease decreased in group B (27% versus 17%). Preoperative IABP support was more frequent in group B (9% versus 17%) and beating heart surgery was significantly more frequent in group B (26% versus 59%). The number of grafts was similar in the 2 groups (3.2 +/- 1.4 versus 3.0 +/- 1.1). The operative mortality rates were 0.7% and 4.1% in group A and B, respectively. Incomplete revascularization followed by postoperative percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed in 11% and 12%, respectively, and all the patients survived surgery. The operative mortality rates for arrested heart and beating heart surgery were 2% and 2%, respectively. In conclusion, after the introduction of DES, more clinically ill patients were referred to CABG. Combination therapy consisting of CABG and PCI (Hybrid) may be a treatment of choice in critical patients.