Aim. The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life (QOL) in patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty(PTCA), before surgery and three, six and twelvemonths after surgery.

Background.CABG and PTCA are common treatments in coronary artery disease(CAD). After PTCA the patient is hospitalized only for one day and pays less than CABG,but it is not obviouswhether there is any difference between the quality of life in these two groups.

Method.This prospective cohort study was conducted on 241 patients (115 PTCA and 126 CABG patients) who were hospitalized in Tehran University of Medical Sciences hospitals between 2004-2006. The data were collected by questionnaire including 40 questions regarding demographic data, disease information and quality of life. The data were analyzed by statistical tests including T- test, Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon and Friedman.

Findings.The findings showed that both groups hadreduction in the quality of life(P≤0.001), but the QOL had statistically significant difference in both groups three, six and twelve months after surgery (P≤0.001).

Conclusion.Patients and their families need to be supported and trained by health care team after performing each of these surgeries and encouraged to follow up their disease status.