OBJECTIVE To investigate whether coronary stenting limits myocardial injury and preserves left ventricular function.

DESIGN AND SETTING Prospective multicentre case–control study of primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with and without stenting, performed in seven cardiovascular centres.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS 45 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction who were treated with successful primary stenting (Stent group) and did not have restenosis were paired with 45 matched control subjects with acute myocardial infarction treated by successful primary PTCA without stenting, also with no restenosis (POBA group).

RESULTS In comparison with the POBA group, the Stent group—especially those patients with a left anterior descending coronary artery lesion—had a smaller hypokinesis area (mean (SD): 15.1 (20.0) v 34.4 (24.3) chords), reduced hypokinesis area/risk area (25.2 (31.9)%v 58.8 (40.1)%), and a larger ejection fraction (63.3 (10.2)% v 51.7 (11.7)%) evaluated by quantitative left ventriculography using the centreline method. In the Stent group, the correlation between risk area and hypokinesis area was significantly shifted downward. Multiple logistic regression analysis on infarct size limitation (hypokinesis area/risk area < 50%) identified preinfarction angina in all subjects and preinfarction angina and stenting in patients with left anterior descending coronary artery leasions as explanatory factors.

CONCLUSIONS Primary PTCA using a coronary stent is effective in preventing myocardial injury and restoring left ventricular function in patients with anterior acute myocardial infarction.