Objective To compare the postoperative cognition function after propofol intravenous versus isoflurane inhalation anesthesia in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients. Methods 30 ASA Ⅱ - Ⅲ patients undergoing off-pump CABG were randomly assigned to two groups. Following induction of anesthesia,isoflurane inhalation( group A ) or propofol intravenous (group B ) were adjusted to maintain comparable depth of anesthesia state. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was used to assess the cognitive function 1 day before and 4 days after the operation. Results There were 5 patients suffered postoperative cognitive dysfunction in group A, and 3 cases in group B . But compared with the preoperative( group A (29.13 ± 0. 83 ), group B (29.13 ±1. 13 ) ) ,the MMSE score at 4 days in group A ( 28.73 ± 1.03 ) were lower( t = 2.45, P ＜ 0.05 ), there was no difference in group B( 28.93 ± 1.16)at 4 days( t = 1.87, P ＞ 0. 05 ). Conclusion Both propofol intravenous anesthesia and isoflurane inhalation anesthesia in off-pump CABG may contribute to postoperative cognitive dysfunction, propofol intravenous anesthesia is advantageous over isoflurane inhalation anesthesia.