In a complicated myocardial infarction, pain radiates to the left arm, shoulder, back, and lower jaw. Complications also make the course of the myocardial infarction more severe.
Complications of myocardial infarction include:
Various arrhythmias during the first 3 days: extrasystoles, sinus or paroxysmal tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and complete intraventricular block. Ventricular flutter can progress to fibrillation and may result in the patient's death.
In the most severe form of left ventricular failure, characterized by congestive crackles and pulmonary edema, fatal cardiogenic shock is observed.
Rupture of muscle fibers in the area of necrosis can cause bleeding into the pericardial cavity.
In an extensive myocardial infarction, an acute cardiac aneurysm may form. Within the first 10 days, a person may die from rupture of the ventricular wall due to an acute circulatory disturbance.
Fibrin buildup on the vessel wall leads to mural thromboendocarditis, and thrombotic fragments that break away create a risk of embolism in the vessels of the lungs, brain, and kidneys.
Information on this site is general and does not replace an examination by a doctor.