A significant proportion of patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome will suffer complications either as a direct result of myocardial ischaemia or secondary to medical therapy and intervention.

Complications can occur during the index admission or many years later.

Major risk factors include increasing age and number of comorbidities, female sex, and the extent of myocardial ischaemia and necrosis.

Targeted therapy, in-patient monitoring and longer-term surveillance are important in limiting complications and ensuring their prompt detection and appropriate initiation of therapy.