Objective To determine the values of ankle-brachial index (ABI) combined with carotid plaque scores (Crouse scores) for the prediction of coronary artery disease (CAD) in the elderly population. Methods A total of 153 elderly inpatients (over 60 years old) undergoing coronary angiography for the first time in our department from November 2013 to April 2014 were enrolled in this study. Their clinical data such as ABI and the Crouse scores were collected. They were divided into 4 groups according to the number of stenosed coronary arteries, that is, normal coronary arteries group (group 0), and the groups involving 1 (group 1), 2 (group 2) or 3-or-more vessels (group 3). Based on the severity of coronary artery stenosis (estimated by Gessini score), they were also assigned into severe group and non-severe group. Results There were significant differences in ABI among group 0, group 1, group 2 and group 3. The Crouse scores also had significant differences among the group 0, group 2 and group 3. Spearman analysis indicated that the relativities were significant in ABI, Crouse and the number of stenosed vessels when double-sided confidence level was 0.01, with the correlation coefficients of 0.484 and -0.491. With ABI ≤0.9 or Crouse score ≥1.9 as the cutoff value to predict severe stenosis, the sensitivity was 24% and 76% respectively, and the specificity was 96.1% and 21.4% respectively. Conclusion ABI and Crouse score are closely related to the severity of CAD. Combination of ABI with Crouse scores has more significant value in the prediction of the severity of the disease.