Which of the following is a common complication of interstitial lung disease?

Respiratory failure is a common complication of interstitial lung disease due to the nature of the disease, which primarily affects the lung tissue. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) encompasses a range of disorders that produce inflammation and scarring in the lungs' interstitium, leading to reduced lung compliance, impaired gas exchange, and eventually respiratory failure.

In ILD, the progressive damage to the lung architecture can lead to significant hypoxemia and difficulty in breathing, even at rest. Over time, this chronic condition may worsen to the point where the lungs can no longer provide sufficient oxygen to meet the demands of the body, resulting in respiratory failure.

The other options, while they are significant health concerns, are not primary complications associated with interstitial lung disease. Stroke, coronary artery disease, and myocardial infarction are primarily related to cardiovascular issues, not directly caused by the lung pathology typical of interstitial lung disease. Thus, respiratory failure stands out as a direct consequence of the compromised lung function that characterizes interstitial lung disease.