What is the most common complication following a myocardial infarction?

Arrhythmias are the most common complication following a myocardial infarction due to the disruption of the heart's electrical conduction system that occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is impaired. When heart tissue is damaged during an infarction, it can lead to changes in the electrical impulses that regulate the heart's rhythm, resulting in various types of arrhythmias.

These abnormalities can range from benign to life-threatening, with severe arrhythmias potentially leading to sudden cardiac arrest. Continuous monitoring of heart rhythms is essential in the acute setting after a myocardial infarction to detect these complications early and provide timely interventions.

While heart failure can also occur after a myocardial infarction as a long-term complication due to the decreased cardiac function, arrhythmias are typically the immediate concern and the most prevalent issue arising shortly after the event. Myocardial rupture and pulmonary embolism, though serious, are much less common complications compared to arrhythmias.