Background To investigate whether preprocedural high-dose atorvastatin decreases the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and protects the renal function after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods Statin-naive patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing emergency PCI (n=161) randomly received atorvastatin (80 mg, n=78, ATOR group) or placebo (n=83, CON group) followed by long-term atorvastatin (40 mg/d).Primary end point was incidence of CIN.