Primary coronary stenting has been shown to be an effective reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction(AMI). However, few data exist regarding long-term follow-up. We examine the long-term clinical and angiographic outcomes after primary coronary stenting in the early setting of AMI.

Between September 1995 to October 1999, coronary stenting was attempted in 181 consecutive patients admitted with the diagnosis of AMI within 6 hours from the onset of the chest pain. Clinical events, including death, MI, coronary bypass surgery and repeat angioplasty, were recorded for 1 year. Angiogram were obtained at baseline, after stent, at 2 weeks and 6 months.

168 patients(92.8%) of all patients had complete 1 year clinical follow-up. In-hospital deaths occured in 5 patients(3%). One hundred five patients(62.5%) had follow-up angiography at 6.4±2.1 months after stent implantation and restenosis occured in 21.9%. Clinical events after 1 year included death in 6.5%, myocardial infarction in 1.2%, bypass surgery in 1.8% and repeat angioplasty in 7.7%. Freedom from any adverse cardiac event at 1 year was 82.2%.

Primary stenting is safe and feasible in patients of AMI, even in large thrombus containing lesion and results in excellent long-term outcomes.