Cardiac tamponade is a common clinical consequence of which post-myocardial infarction complication?
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Correct answer: Ventricular free wall rupture
Rupture of the ventricular free wall usually occurs 3 to 7 days post-MI when the myocardium is softest due to macrophage-mediated digestion. The resulting hemorrhage into the pericardial sac causes rapid pressure buildup and fatal tamponade.
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