• Infarct Size, as a percent of Left Ventricular Mass [ Time Frame: 3-5 days ]
  Efficacy- Composite clinical secondary endpoint, Compared between groups in a hierarchical order using the Finkelstein-Schoenfeld statistic.
• Impella CP® related Major Bleeding and Major Vascular complications [ Time Frame: 30 Days ]
  Efficacy (Cardiogenic Shock)- Composite clinical secondary endpoint. Compared between groups in a hierarchical order using the Finkelstein-Schoenfeld statistic. Secondary Safety (Major Bleeding and Vascular Complications); with pre-specified performance goals.
• Cardiogenic Shock, CV mortality, Heart Failure, LVAD or Heart Transplant and ICD or CRT Placement [ Time Frame: 12 Months ]
  Efficacy- Composite clinical secondary endpoint. Compared between groups in a hierarchical order using the Finkelstein-Schoenfeld statistic.

• Infarct Size, as a percent of Left Ventricular Mass [ Time Frame: 3-5 days ]
  Efficacy- Composite clinical secondary endpoint, Compared between groups in a hierarchical order using the Finkelstein-Schoenfeld statistic.
• Cardiogenic Shock at ≥ 24h from enrollment and Impella CP® related Major Bleeding and Major Vascular complications [ Time Frame: 30 Days ]
  Efficacy (Cardiogenic Shock)- Composite clinical secondary endpoint. Compared between groups in a hierarchical order using the Finkelstein-Schoenfeld statistic. Secondary Safety (Major Bleeding and Vascular Complications); with pre-specified performance goals.
• CV mortality, Heart Failure Hospitalization and ICD or CRT Placement [ Time Frame: 24 Months ]
  Efficacy- Composite clinical secondary endpoint. Compared between groups in a hierarchical order using the Finkelstein-Schoenfeld statistic.

• Experimental: Experimental

  Subjects randomized to the experimental arm will have their heart unloaded for 30 minutes on the Impella CP® device prior to PCI.

  Each site is required to have one "roll-in" per arm to test the study protocol before beginning enrollment.

  Intervention: Device: Impella CP® placement prior to reperfusion with Primary PCI
• No Intervention: Control
  Primary PCI. Each site is required to have one "roll-in" per arm to test the study protocol before beginning enrollment.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18-80 years
2. First myocardial infarction
3. Acute anterior STEMI with ≥2 mm in 2 or more contiguous anterior leads or ≥ 4 mm total ST segment deviation sum in the anterior leads V1-V4
4. Patient presents to the hospital between 1 - 5 hours of chest pain onset
5. Patient indicated for Primary PCI
6. Patient or the patient's Legally Authorized Representative (where applicable) has signed Informed Consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patient transferred from an outside hospital where invasive coronary procedure was attempted (including diagnostic catheterization)
2. Unwitnessed cardiac arrest OR ≥30 minutes of CPR prior to enrollment OR any impairment in mental status, cognition, or any global or focal neurological deficit
3. Administration of fibrinolytic therapy within 24 hours prior to enrollment
4. Cardiogenic shock defined as: systemic hypotension (systolic BP <90 mmHg or the need for inotropes/pressors to maintain a systolic BP >90mmHg) plus one of the following: any requirement for pressors/inotropes prior to arrival at the catheterization laboratory, clinical evidence of end organ hypoperfusion or use of IABP or any other circulatory support device
5. Inferior STEMI or suspected right ventricular failure
6. Any contraindication or inability to place the Impella, including peripheral vascular disease, tortuous vascular anatomy, femoral bruits or absent pedal pulses
7. Severe aortic stenosis
8. Acute cardiac mechanical complication: LV free wall rupture OR Interventricular septum rupture OR Acute mitral regurgitation
9. Suspected or known pregnancy
10. Suspected systemic active infection
11. History or known hepatic insufficiency prior to catheterization
12. On renal replacement therapy
13. COPD with home oxygen therapy or on chronic steroid therapy
14. Known or evidence of prior myocardial infarction, including pathologic Q waves in non-anterior leads
15. Prior CABG or LAD PCI
16. History of heart failure
17. Prior aortic valve surgery or TAVR
18. Left bundle branch block (new or old)
19. History of stroke/TIA within the prior 3 months, any history of Intracranial Hemorrhage or any permanent neurological deficit
20. History of bleeding diathesis or known coagulopathy (including heparin-induced thrombocytopenia), any recent GU or GI bleed, or will refuse blood transfusions

21. Patient on systemic anticoagulation pre-procedure (including factor Xa inhibitors, thrombin inhibitors, warfarin)

    Known contraindication to:

22. Undergoing MRI or use of gadolinium, e.g. CrCl<30 ml/min, non-compatible implant, claustrophobia
23. Heparin, pork, pork products or contrast media
24. Receiving a drug-eluting stent
25. Participation in the active treatment or follow-up phase of another clinical study of an investigational drug or device which has not reached its primary end point.
26. Any organ condition, concomitant disease (e.g., psychiatric illness, severe alcoholism, or drug abuse, severe cancer, hepatic or kidney disease), with life expectancy of ≤2 years or other abnormality that itself, or the treatment of which, could interfere with the conduct of the study or that, in the opinion of the Investigator and/or Sponsor's medical monitor, would pose an unacceptable risk to the patient in the study.
27. Subject has other medical, social, or psychological problems that, in the opinion of the Investigator, compromises the subject's ability to give written informed consent and/or to comply with study procedures, including follow-up CMRs.
28. Subject belongs to a vulnerable population [Vulnerable patient populations are defined as Individuals with mental disability, persons in nursing homes, children, impoverished persons, homeless persons, nomads, refugees, and those permanently incapable of giving informed consent. Vulnerable populations also may include members of a group with a hierarchical structure such as university students, subordinate hospital and laboratory personnel, employees of the Sponsor, members of the armed forces, and persons kept in detention].