Incidence and Prognostic Significance of Arrhythmia in Acute Myocardial Infarction Presentation: An Observational Study.

Background Arrhythmias are well-recognized complications of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and are an important risk factor for mortality in both men and women across a wide age range. Aim This study aims to analyze the incidence of arrhythmia in patients with AMI with respect to age, gender distribution, and location of AMI and also to evaluate the prognostic factors of mortality in patients with AMI. Methods This prospective, observational, and cross-sectional study included 300 patients admitted within an hour of the presentation of AMI at a Super Speciality Hospital, MGMMC (Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College), Indore, after fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Clinical features, elevated cardiac biomarkers, and an electrocardiogram guided the diagnosis of AMI and arrhythmia. Results Of the total of 300 patients, the majority were male, 280 (93.4%), with a mean age of 57.48 ± 13.48 years. Prevalent risk factors included obesity, 195 (65%); diabetes mellitus, 185 (61.66%); hypertension, 181 (60.33%); smoking, 114 (38%); alcohol consumption, 123 (41%); and hypercholesterolemia, 207 (69%). Among 152 patients with arrhythmia, obesity, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and alcohol were more prevalent compared to those without arrhythmia. The arrhythmia incidence was higher in 143 (51.07%) male patients. Out of 37 mortality cases, 29 were associated with arrhythmia. Mortality was highest in extensive anterior wall acute myocardial infarction (EAWMI), 14 (37.24%), and inferior wall myocardial infarction (IWMI), 13 (35.14%). Conclusion In conclusion, arrhythmia was prevalent in the age group of 45-54 years and among patients with EAWMI. Mortality was significantly associated with arrhythmia and was highest in elderly patients with EAWMI and IWMI. These findings underscore the importance of risk stratification and targeted management strategies.