We wish to perform a randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to examine the effects of EPO given at the time of primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction (MI) on myocardial infarct size. In this trial the null hypothesis is that there is no effect of EPO on myocardial infarct size, the alternative hypothesis is that EPO reduces myocardial infarct size.