We investigated the incidence of in-hospital mortality or nonfatal myocardial infarction or nonfatal stroke in 216 patients with diabetes mellitus and in 552 patients without diabetes mellitus (68% men and 32% women, mean age 66 +/- 14 y) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting. Symptomatic chest pain was present in 95% of diabetics and in 95% of nondiabetics. Unstable symptoms were present in 67% of diabetics and in 68% of nondiabetics. Aspirin was used in 99% of diabetics and nondiabetics. Clopidogrel was used in 98% of diabetics and nondiabetics. Beta blockers were used in 85% of diabetics and nondiabetics. Lipid-lowering drugs were used in 96% of diabetics and in 95% of nondiabetics. In-hospital mortality occurred in 2 of 216 diabetics (0.9%) and in 2 of 552 nondiabetics (0.4%), P not significant. In-hospital mortality or nonfatal myocardial infarction or nonfatal stroke occurred in 3 of 216 diabetics (1.4%) and in 6 of 552 nondiabetics (1.1%), P not significant.