Objective To explore the efficacy of endovascular therapy in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods The acute ischemic stroke patients who received endovascular therapy between January 2020 and January 2023 were retrospectively enrolled. According to age, patients were divided into the elderly group (≥ 80 years old) and other age groups (<80 years old). The baseline data, green channel data, nerve function deficit, recanalization and complication information were collected, and the patients were followed up. Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used to evaluate patients prognosis at 3 months after onset. Score less than or equal to 2 points was defined as good prognosis and over 2 points was defined as poor prognosis. Results A total of 138 patients were included, and 7 patients were lost to follow-up. Finally, 131 patients were included. Among them, there were 50 cases in the elderly group and 81 cases in the other age group. There were statistically significant differences in age, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and vascular recanalization between the elderly group and the other age group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the other baseline data, complications, 3-month prognosis, or mortality between the two groups (P>0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score at admission [odds ratio (OR)=1.150, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.033, 1.281), P=0.011], pulmonary infection [OR=2.933, 95%CI (1.109, 7.758), P=0.030], and hypoproteinemia [OR=3.716, 95%CI (1.226, 11.264), P=0.020] affected the mRS score at 3 months after onset. Conclusions Among the patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing endovascular therapy, there is no difference in the occurrence of complications or short-term prognosis between elderly patients and other age patients. However, the attention should still be paid to reducing the occurrence of complications in patients, strengthening their nutritional support, and thereby improving their prognosis.