The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical, echocardiographic and angiographic outcome of distal protection in the infarct related coronary artery and implantation of drug eluting versus bare metal stents in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarctions treated acutely with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Acute onset typical chest pain of < 12 hours' duration
• ST-elevation of > 4 mm (1mm = 0.1 mV) in contiguous leads of the electrocardiogram
• High grade stenosis or occlusion of a native major coronary artery that can be crossed with a soft or intermediate tip guidewire
• Possibility to perform distal protection of the infarct-related artery

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of previous myocardial infarction
• Use of fibrinolytic agents for the index infarction
• Left main stenosis
• Heavily calcification of abdominal aorta or occlusive iliofemoral disease hampering access to the coronary ostias by the femoral route
• Known renal failure
• Other significant cardiac disease
• Other severe disease with an expected survival < 1 year
• Known allergy against clopidogrel or contrast media that can not be avoided/limited by medication
• Linguistic difficulties needing an interpreter
• Gastrointestinal bleeding within 1 month
• Childbearing potential or pregnancy
• Participation in another study