PROTECT : Pacing to Protect Heart for Damage From Blocked Heart Vessel and From Re-opening Blocked Vessel(s)

Clinical Evaluation of Pacing During the Onset of Revascularization / Feasibility Study

To determine whether the application of ventricular pacing can protect the human heart from damage resulting from a myocardial infarction

To determine whether the application of ventricular pacing can protect the human heart from damage resulting from a myocardial infarction

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, requiring PCI within 2 to 6 hours following symptoms
• Total occlusion of a coronary artery with reference vessel diameter >or= 3mm

Exclusion Criteria:

• Thrombolitics
• Severe bradycardia requiring cardiac pacing
• Previous PCI or CABG
• Recent stroke or CV surgery
• Recent major surgery or trauma
• Clinical and hemodynamic unstability
• Implanted CRM device
• Evidence of previous MI
• Diabetes using rosiglitazone or other fibrates
• Permanent AF
• Mechanical tricuspid valve
• Pregnancy
• Exclusion for MRI
• Incapability of participating in exercise test