Introdução: Dificuldades de acesso em tempo hábil a centros que oferecem intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP) primária fazem com que a trombólise química seja a modalidade de reperfusão predominante em pacientes com infarto com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAMCSST) no Brasil. Nesse cenário, a ICP de resgate torna-se importante opção para pacientes com insucesso na reperfusão. Comparamos os desfechos hospitalares dessas duas modalidades de ICP no IAMCSST. Métodos: Entre agosto de 2006 e outubro de 2012, pacientes consecutivos do Registro Angiocardio, com IAMCSST, foram submetidos à ICP primária ou de resgate. Foi comparada a incidência de eventos cardíacos e cerebrovasculares adversos maiores (ECCAM) hospitalares. Resultados: Avaliamos 801 pacientes submetidos a ICP primária (n = 599) ou a ICP de resgate (n = 202). No grupo ICP de resgate foi observada menor frequência de trombos, oclusões totais, fluxo TIMI 0/1 pré-procedimento e presença de circulação colateral. O ABSTRACT Background: Difficulties to reach centers that offer primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a timely manner turn intravenous thrombolysis into the predominant reperfusion mode in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Brazil. In this scenario, rescue PCI becomes an important therapeutic option for patients who fail reperfusion. We have compared hospital outcomes of these two PCI modalities in STEMI. Methods: Between August 2006 to October 2012, consecutive patients with STEMI enrolled in the Angiocardio Registry were submitted to primary or rescue PCI. The incidence of in-hospital major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) was compared. Results: We evaluated 801 patients undergoing primary (n = 599) or rescue PCI (n = 202). In the rescue PCI group a lower frequency of thrombi, total occlusions, pre-procedure TIMI 0/1 flow and angiographically detectable collaterals was observed. The use of stents was similar, as well as the procedure success rates (91.7% vs 90.6%; P = 0.75). The incidence of MACCE (6.3% vs 6.9%; P = 0.89), death (4% vs 4%; P > 0.99), stroke (0.3% vs 0; P = 0.99) and reinfarction (2.7% vs 3%; P > 0.99) was not different between groups. In the multivariate analysis, the