ANALYZING ARRHYTHMIA PATTERNS IN ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: A CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Background: Acute myocardial infarction commonly known as a heart attack, remains one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, accounting for approximately 9 million deaths annually. Arrhythmias represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in AMI patients. Early arrhythmic events, particularly VT and VF, often result in sudden cardiac death if not promptly treated. The incidence of arrhythmias is highest in the first 24 hours following an AMI, although late-onset arrhythmias can also occur, particularly in patients with larger infarcts or heart failure. Moreover, arrhythmias may be a marker of more extensive myocardial injury, influencing long-term prognosis.

Methodology: Patients diagnosed with acute MI admitted within 14 days of the onset of symptoms were included in the study. A pre-structured, pilot-tested questionnaire including the basic socio- demographic information and other relevant clinical markers related to the study was administered for obtaining the relevant information. For STEMI patients, electrocardiographic (ECG) findings were used to confirm the diagnosis, while for NSTEMI patients, a combination of clinical features, ECG evidence, and elevated cardiac troponin I levels during their hospitalization was used for diagnosis.

Results: The association between arrhythmias and the Killip class classification, p-value suggests that there is no statistically significant association between arrhythmias and the Killip class,  and the distribution of arrhythmias in relation to the presence or absence of heart failure showed that the occurrence of arrhythmias is not strongly related to whether heart failure is present or absent in the study population.

Conclusion: Early detection and appropriate management, including pharmacological therapies and device-based interventions, are critical to improving patient outcomes and reducing the risk of sudden cardiac death. The role of early reperfusion and personalized treatment strategies is increasingly recognized in minimizing arrhythmic complications.