Systematic review comparing the use of aspirin with dual antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention in non-cardioembolic ischaemic strokes


C. Mok, T. Bemand, M. Lennon

Background

Antiplatelet therapy is an essential part of secondary prevention for patients with ischaemic strokes or transient ischaemic attacks with commonly used agents being aspirin, clopidogrel, or dipyridamole. Current Australian guidelines recommend early dual anti platelet therapy and a recent large randomised controlled trial (POINT) was published in 2018 supporting this practise but an updated meta-analysis with pooled effects has not been performed.

Method

Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials comparing effectiveness of early dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin monotherapy to prevent repeat stroke or transient ischaemic attack in patients diagnosed with a non-cardioembolic ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack.

Hypothesis

Early dual antiplatelet therapy will be more effective in preventing recurrence of stroke or transient ischaemic attacks than aspirin monotherapy.

Preliminary results

13 articles met inclusion criteria for further analysis.