Dual antiplatelet therapy use after non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack: a meta-analysis of trials and cohort studies.

BACKGROUND

Recurrent stroke burden exceeds 10% within the first year. Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is recommended for short-term secondary prevention after non-cardioembolic high-risk TIA or ischemic stroke (nc-IS), yet uncertainty persists regarding its true efficacy, optimal timing, duration, regimen, and bleeding risk.

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of DAPT vs. single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) after TIA or nc-IS and to identify clinical and study-level effect modifiers.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were searched through October 13, 2025, for randomized trials (RTs) and cohort studies comparing DAPT and SAPT in adults (≥18 years) with TIA or nc-IS. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251017979). Recurrent stroke and major bleeding were the primary efficacy and safety outcomes of interest, respectively. Eligible studies included those comparing any DAPT vs. SAPT regimen reporting recurrent ischemic stroke or major bleeding. Two reviewers independently screened studies using predefined criteria and resolved discrepancies by consensus. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers following PRISMA guidelines. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 and Newcastle-Ottawa tools. Pooled risk ratios (pRRs; 95% CIs) were calculated using random-effects models. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses explored treatment modifiers, and certainty of evidence was graded using GRADE. Data were analyzed using Stata version 18.5.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven studies (18 RTs and 9 observational; 123,136 participants) were included. DAPT was associated with significant reduction in stroke recurrence compared with SAPT (pRR 0.83; 95% CI 0.78-0.88; I2 = 57%). Benefit was greatest when DAPT was initiated ≤24 h-7 days and continued short-term (≤90 days), particularly when initiated with a loading dose. Efficacy was consistent across age, sex, stroke severity (including NIHSS >3-≤15), study design, and geographic setting, and extended to other DAPT regimens beyond aspirin-clopidogrel combinations. Major bleeding occurred more often with DAPT (pRR 1.29; 95% CI 1.00-1.66; I2 = 60%). Bleeding risk appeared slightly higher with aspirin-clopidogrel regimens and among women but was otherwise consistent across subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Early, time-limited DAPT with a loading dose was associated with lower stroke recurrence and modest bleeding risk, with benefits extending to mild-to-moderate strokes and alternative combinations beyond the standard aspirin-clopidogrel.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier CRD420251017979.