Inclusion Criteria:

• Must have clinical symptoms consistent with AMI (e.g., angina or anginal equivalent)lasting >20 minutes but <12 hours in duration;
• ST-segment elevation of >1 mm in >2 contiguous leads, or (presumably new) left bundle branch block, or true posterior MI with ST depression of >1 mm in >2 contiguous anterior leads;
• The patient or guardian agrees to the study protocol and the schedule of clinical and angiographic follow-up, and provides informed, written consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• The patient has a known hypersensitivity or contraindication to any of the following medications:

  • Heparin, pork or pork products
  • Both abciximab and eptifibatide
  • Aspirin
  • Both Clopidogrel and Ticlopidine
  • Bivalirudin
  • Paclitaxel or Taxol
  • The polymer components of the TAXUS™ stent (SIBS)
  • Stainless steel and/or
  • Contrast media;
• Prior administration of thrombolytic therapy, bivalirudin, GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors, low molecular weight heparin or fondaparinux for this admission. Patients receiving prior unfractionated heparin may be enrolled, and treated per randomization;
• Current use of coumadin;
• Systemic (intravenous) Paclitaxel or Taxol use within 12 months;
• Female of childbearing potential, unless a recent pregnancy test is negative, who possibly plans to become pregnant any time after enrollment into this study;
• History of bleeding diathesis or known coagulopathy (including heparin-induced thrombocytopenia), or will refuse blood transfusions;
• History of intra-cerebral mass, aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation, or hemorrhagic stroke;
• Stroke or transient ischemic attack within the past 6 months, or any permanent residual neurologic defect;
• Gastrointestinal or genitourinary bleeding within the last 2 months, or major surgery within six weeks;
• Recent history or known current platelet count <100,000 cells/mm3 or Hgb <10 g/dL;
• Extensive peripheral vascular disease, such that emergent angiography and intervention in the opinion of the investigator is likely to be difficult or complicated;
• An elective surgical procedure is planned that would necessitate interruption of thienopyridines during the first six months post enrollment;
• Non-cardiac co-morbid conditions are present with life expectancy <1 year or that may result in protocol non-compliance;
• Patients who are actively participating in another drug or device investigational study, which have not completed the primary endpoint follow-up period;
• Previous enrollment in this trial;
• Patients who underwent coronary stent implantation within the past 30 days.