What complication can arise in a patient with atrial fibrillation due to stagnant blood?

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In patients with atrial fibrillation, the chaotic electrical activity in the atria can lead to ineffective atrial contraction. This results in areas of stagnant blood, particularly in the left atrial appendage, where blood flow may be reduced or even come to a standstill. When blood stagnates, there is an increased risk of thrombus formation, or the development of a blood clot. These clots can lead to serious complications, including stroke, if they dislodge and travel to the brain or other vital organs.

While heart failure, arrhythmia, and cardiac arrest are important complications that can occur in patients with atrial fibrillation, they are not specifically caused by stagnant blood in the same direct manner as thrombus formation. Atrial fibrillation can contribute to heart failure due to inefficient heart function over time and can give rise to other arrhythmias, but the immediate complication associated with stagnant blood is the formation of thrombi. Therefore, thrombus formation is the most appropriate answer in this context.