Previous clinical studies have shown inconsistent results regarding the effect of erythropoietin in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
After successful reperfusion 138 patients with STEMI were randomly assigned to receive epoetin beta (3.33×10<sup>4</sup> U, n = 68) or placebo (n = 70) immediately, 24 and 48 h after percutaneous coronary intervention.