Aim This meta-analysis was to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of erythropoietin (EPO) for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods Eight online databases were investigated (CNKI, CBM, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science), then randomized clinical trials (RCT) comparing the efficacy of EPO versus non-EPO in patients with AMI after PCI published before January 2017 were included. Data analysis was carried out using RevMan software(V.5.3). Results 14 RCT (enrolling 2044 patients) were included in the review. Literatures with low risk bias showed, in the case of improving left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and infarct size, EPO and non-EPO treatment had no distinction. Literatures with high risk bias showed, EPO could significantly improve LVEF, reduce the LVESV and infarct size, no significant difference of EPO was found on LVEDV. High doses of EPO had no effect on vascular events; low doses can reduce the incidence of vascular events. Conclusion The use of EPO in patients with AMI may not improve left ventricular function (LVEF, LVEDV, LVESV) and infarct size after PCI, and low-dose may improve the incidence of vascular events.