Objective: To investigate the short-term prognostic value of stromal cell-derived factor-1α(SDF-1α) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) referred to primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI). Methods:Serum levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP),SDF-1α were measured at baseline,24 and 48 hours after PCI or coronary angiography(CAG) in 78 patients with STEMI,underwent primary PCI,60 patients with stable angina pectoris(SAP) for PCI and 60 healthy adults confirmed by CAG. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were analyzed during(6.3 ± 1.5) months of follow-up in patients with STEMI. Results: Serum levels of hs-CRP in the STEMI group at baseline,24 and 48 hours after operation were significantly higher than those in the SAP group and the healthy group(P < 0.05),while levels of SDF-1α were all significantly lower(P < 0.05). Spearman rank correlation revealed that levels of SDF-1α and hs-CRP at baseline,24 and 48 hours after operation were inversely correlated(r = -0.208,P < 0.05;r = -0.341,P < 0.05;r = -0.384,P < 0.05). MACE took place in 24 patients in STEMI group during follow-up. Compared with those of patients without MACE,fasting glucose(FBG),serum creatintine(Cr) and levels of hs-CRP-SDF-1α at three points in MACE group were statistically significant(P < 0.05). Hs-CRP levels at baseline,24 and 48 hours and SDF-1α levels at baseline were independent predictors of MACE when adjusted by FBG and Cr. Conclusion: SDF-1α is probably a cardioprotective factor with antiinflammatory effect. SDF-1α levels at baseline may have short-term predictive value for MACE after AMI.