Abstract

New evidence on the efficacy and safety of dual antiplatelet therapy for secondary stroke prevention have been realized in the recent years. An updated meta-analysis was done to determine the effect of the various dual antiplatelets (including ticagrelor and cilostazol) vs aspirin alone on recurrence rate of ischemic stroke, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and its safety profile as reported through major bleeding. Methods includes PubMed, Cochrane and Science Direct data bases were utilized, RCTs evaluating dual antiplatelet vs. mono antiplatelet therapy for acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack within < 72 hours from ictus were searched up to July 2019. Risk ratio at 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate stroke recurrence, cardiac events and mortality, and major bleeding.