Background : The safety and the clinical impact of drug eluting stents (DESs) implantation in primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with a high risk for early thrombotic complications is currently unknown. This study retrospectively compared the clinical outcomes of patients treated with primary angioplasty using DESs with bare metal stents (BMSs). Methods : From April 2003 to June 2004, 107 patients with AMI treated with primary angioplasty were included. The immediate outcomes including success rate and acute thrombosis and short-term outcomes including the incidence of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization at 30 days were assessed. Results : DESs used in 35 patients and BMSs in 72. Baseline characteristics were similar between DESs group and BMSs group (Age : 60짹12 vs 59짹12 years, Male : 83% vs 86%, Stent length : 23.8짹5.8 vs 25.2짹4.9 mm, Stent diameter 2.94짹0.31 vs 3.26짹0.55 mm, p=NS ). Postprocedure vessel patency was 100% in both groups. Acute closure due to stent thrombosis occurred in 6% (2/35) of DESs and 1%(1/72) of BMSs (p=0.22). The 30-day MACE rate was similar between both groups (DES 6% vs. BMS 3%, p=0.48). Death occurred in 2 patients with BMSs and 1 patients with DESs (p=NS). Conclusion : Compared to conventional BMSs, the DESs were not associated with an increased risk of stent thrombosis and were effective in primary angioplasty for patients with AMI. But more data will be needed.