Drug Elution and Distal Protection During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

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