Occlusive thrombosis triggered by a disrupted or eroded atherosclerotic plaque is the anatomic substrate of most acute myocardial infarctions (AMI). Macro- and microembolization of thrombus during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in AMI is frequent and may result in obstruction of the microvessel network, and decreased efficacy of reperfusion and myocardial salvage. Direct stenting without predilation or postdilation is the most simplistic approach to the problem of embolization, and may decrease embolization and the incidence of the no-reflow phenomenon. Other approaches to the problem of microvessel embolization include percutaneous rheolytic thrombectomy (RT) with the AngioJet catheter before stent implantation. The objectives of the study are: to assess whether RT before direct infarct artery stenting results in improved reperfusion success in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and angiographically evident thrombus; and to validate a technique for use of the AngioJet RT catheter in the treatment of STEMI.