Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has become the favored reperfusion strategy in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Lower post-PCI myocardial perfusion grade, no-reflow and even drug-eluting stent thrombosis have been related to the presence of intracoronary thrombus. Adjunctive thrombectomy refers to procedures and devices that remove thrombotic material from the infarction-related artery, in theory, before distal embolization can occur. There is substantial variability between randomized controlled trials of thrombectomy in primary PCI with regards to tested devices, procedural characteristics, adjuvant medical regimen and examined outcomes. As a general statement, improvements in myocardial perfusion endpoints do not translate into reductions in clinical outcomes. Yet, an increasing number of trials with a longer follow-up reported benefits arising late after the index myocardial infarction. Simple aspiration catheters may also produce better outcomes than devices that fragment the thrombus before aspirating debris. Clinical or angiographic variables which best predict benefits from the use of thrombectomy remain to be defined. The aim of this review is to provide perspective on the conclusions of available trials and meta-analysis of adjunctive thrombectomy in acute myocardial infarction. Targets for future studies are discussed.