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The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been proposed as an independent predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD). In this retrospective study, we further examine this association and its utility as a predictor for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). A total of 870 patients who underwent coronary angiography between May 2008 and June 2009 were included in this retrospective study. The TyG index was calculated using the formula Ln [fasting TG (mg/dL) × FBG (mg/dL)/2]. The association of the TyG index with the presence and severity of CAD, cardiovascular risk factors, and inflammatory markers was evaluated at baseline. In the longitudinal study, the multivariate-adjusted Cox hazard model was used to investigate the associations of the TyG index with the occurrence of MACE during a 5-yr follow-up, which was defined as the endpoint. The TyG index was significantly associated with the presence and severity of CAD. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that a high TyG index, together with inflammatory markers and dyslipidemia, was independently associated with greater stenotic occlusion of coronary arteries (adjusted R 2 = 0.031, P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival curve (free of MACE) by tertiles of the TyG index showed a higher incidence of MACE in the upper tertile (log-rank test, P = 0.02). Multivariate Cox analysis demonstrated that the risk of incident MACE during the follow-up was associated with higher levels of the TyG index, even after adjusting for inflammatory parameters and cardiovascular risk factors: hazard ratio = 1.54 (95% confidence interval: 1.18-2.13; P < 0.01). We conclude that an elevated TyG index is independently associated with a higher risk of CAD and a poor prognosis for MACE. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This retrospective study demonstrates significant associations between the TyG index and the occurrence and severity of CAD, as well as indicates the clinical value of the TyG index as a potential predictor for MACE.