The recruitment rate was much slower than expected.

The trial has the following primary objective:

To compare the safety and effectiveness of primary acute MI intervention with ABT 578-eluting balloon expandable stent (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) vs. sirolimus-eluting balloon expandable stent (Cordis Johnson & Johnson, Warren, New Jersey) vs. paclitaxel-eluting stent (Taxus Liberte, Boston Scientific).

Previous studies have documented that a slow-release polymeric sirolimus-eluting stent (Cypher, Cordis) and paclitaxel-eluting stent (Taxus, Boston Scientific) reduce neointimal formation and result in decrease of angiographic restenosis and target lesion revascularization at 1-3 years in the multicenter randomized clinical trials RAVEL, SIRIUS, and TAXUS I-VI. From these studies, the two leading drug-eluting stents (DESs) of the Cypher and Taxus have been widely and rapidly accepted as a standard treatment of coronary lesions.

Recently, randomized studies were conducted to reveal different outcomes of the different two DESs. These studies showed that the sirolimus-eluting stent was better than the paclitaxel-eluting stent in terms of lower angiographic restenosis rate or the two DESs were similar in angiographic outcomes. A recent meta-analysis supported results of the former randomized studies. Patients receiving sirolimus-eluting stent had a significantly lower risk of restenosis and target vessel revascularization compared with those receiving paclitaxel-eluting stent.

With a recent approval of new DES, ABT-578-eluting stent (Endeavor, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN), other comparison studies have been conducted to compare Endeavor ABT-578-eluting stent with the sirolimus-eluting stent and paclitaxel-eluting stent. The ENDEAVOR clinical trials are currently in progress to evaluate a phosphoryl choline (PC)-coated ABT-578-eluting stent for the prevention of restenosis. Angiographic analysis at 4 months in the 100-patient focal de novo lesion ENDEAVOR I feasibility study demonstrated a mean in-stent percent diameter stenosis of approximately 14% and a late lumen loss of 0.3 mm with a low frequency of target lesion revascularization (1%). The clinical outcomes from the ENDEAVOR II (1,197 patients randomized to ABT-578 or bare metal stent) showed superior efficacy of the PC-coated ABT-578-eluting stent than bare-metal stent.

In patients with acute myocardial infraction (MI), routine stent implantation has been shown to have a better procedural success rate and clinical outcome than balloon angioplasty [11]. However, restenosis and vessel reocclusion remain major challenges limiting the long-term success of percutaneous treatment.

In a clinical study of 400 patients with stent implantation in acute MI, angiographic restenosis occurred in 31%, considerably more than expected for patients with stable coronary disease. There is very little information available as to the efficacy and long-term safety of DES in acute MI. The results from the several registry and randomized trials (Cypher-AMI, Typhoon, PASSION) demonstrated the short-term or long-term safety and efficacy of DES compared to BMS.

The incomplete evidence to date is that implantation of SES in patients with Acute MI is safe and effective more than BMS and results of implantation of PES are at variance with the results of the BMS. However, up to date, there are randomized trials to compare the efficacy and safety among commonly used DES (zotarolimus- vs. sirolimus- vs. paclitaxel-eluting stents) for the treatment of acute MI patients. The results of large randomized trials and larger registries will allow us to make evidence-based decisions about which stent to use in patients with acute MI. Therefore, we designed a randomized, controlled, partially blinded trial comparing the safety and efficacy of the zotarolimus vs. sirolimus vs. paclitaxel stents in acute MI patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. The patient must be at least 18 years of age.
2. Culprit de novo lesion in a native coronary artery with significant stenosis (>50% by visual estimate) eligible for stent implantation (no limitation on stent length)
3. Prolonged, continuous (≥ 20 min) chest pain despite nitrate and: (1) at least 1mm ST-segment elevation in at least 2 leads or reciprocal ST-segment depression ≥ 2 contiguous precordial leads, or (2) newly developed left bundle branch block
4. Symptoms < 12 hours
5. The patient or guardian agrees to the study protocol and the schedule of clinical and angiographic follow-up, and provides informed, written consent, as approved by the appropriate Institutional Review Board/Ethical Committee of the respective clinical site.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. The patient has a known hypersensitivity or contraindication to any of the following medications:

   • Heparin
   • Aspirin
   • Both Clopidogrel and TIclopidine
   • Sirolimus, paclitaxel, ABT 578
   • Stainless steel and/or
   • Contrast media (patients with documented sensitivity to contrast which can be effectively pre-medicated with steroids and diphenhydramine [e.g. rash] may be enrolled. Patients with true anaphylaxis to prior contrast media, however, should not be enrolled).

2. Systemic (intravenous) Sirolimus, paclitaxel or ABT-578 use within 12 months.

3. Female of childbearing potential, unless a recent pregnancy test is negative, who possibly plan to become pregnant any time after enrollment into this study.

4. History of bleeding diathesis or known coagulopathy (including heparin-induced thrombocytopenia), or will refuse blood transfusions.

5. Fibrinolytic therapy for current MI treatment

6. Previous coronary intervention on target vessel

7. Non-cardiac co-morbid conditions are present with life expectancy <1 year or that may result in protocol non-compliance (per site investigator's medical judgment).

8. Patients who are actively participating in another drug or device investigational study, which have not completed the primary endpoint follow-up period.

9. Previously documented LVEF <30%.

10. Evident cardiogenic shock before randomization

11. Patients with left main stem stenosis (>50% by visual estimate)

12. Severe calcification or tortuosity

13. Multi-vessel disease with non-culprit vessel requiring bypass surgery