Patients > 18 years of age presenting with acute MI (NSTEMI or STEMI) were eligible for this trial. Exclusion criteria included unprotected left main disease, ostial or restenotic lesions, contraindication to aspirin, clopidogrel or heparins, life expectancy of less than 12 months and if a stent longer than 28 mm was needed. According to the trial protocol, randomization was performed after visualization of the culprit lesion or a totally occluded infarct-related vessel during coronary angiography. Using sealed envelopes, patients were randomly assigned to the groups in a 1:1 ratio in each participating center.