OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of Cypher drug-eluting stent implanted after the emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODSFrom Nov. 2002 to Dec. 2004, 186 patients with STEMI treated by emergency PCI were included into this study. The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), stent thrombosis and restenosis were evaluated during 6 months follow-up after PCI.

RESULTSOne hundred and sixty-eight patients were successfully treated by emergency PCI and there were no complication during the procedure. The rates of successful treatment were 100%. One hundred and seventy-five Cypher drug-eluting stents were successfully implanted into 171 target lesions. There was one case with acute stent thrombosis among 186 patients, and the MACE and mortality were 2.4% and 1.8%, respectively, during the first one month follow up. Six months later, the MACE was 4.2% and the mortality was 2.4%. The in-stent thrombosis and restenosis rates were 1.2% and 1.8%, respectively, when evaluated by angiography and clinic follow up at six months after PCI.

CONCLUSIONImplanting a Cypher drug-eluting stent in STEMI patients during emergency PCI is as safe and effective as a conventional bare stent. Cypher drug-eluting stent can reduce restenosis rate and MACE in STEMI patients treated with emergency PCI.