Acute treatment and secondary prevention for patients with minor stroke or transient ischemic attack: A Bayesian network meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy of different antiplatelet treatment in minor strokes (MSs) or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and that of antiplatelet and intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in MSs remain controversial. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library to identify all eligible articles until April 12, 2024. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality, excellent outcome, functional independence and recurrent stroke. Safety outcomes were any types of bleeding and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The associations were calculated for the overall data by using odds ratios (ORs). RESULTS: Twenty three high-quality studies with 10 RCTs and 13 non-RCTs were included, involving 47,135 patients with MSs or TIAs. In MSs or TIAs, dual antiplatelet therapies (DAPTs) significantly improved the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores for patients with recurrent stroke, major vascular events and ischemic stroke although it was associated with an increased risk of ICH and bleeding when compared to aspirin. In MSs, compared to IVT, DAPT had a significant advantage in improving the mRMS scores and SAPT and DAPT significantly reduced the risk of any bleeding or sICH. IVT significantly reduced all-cause mortality, although it also increased the risk of sICH and ICH compared to no IVT. CONCLUSIONS: In MSs or TIAs, compared to aspirin, DAPTs can effectively prevent the recurrence of post-stroke neurological dysfunction and ischemic events, but it may increase the risk of ICH together with moderate or severe bleeding. Dipyridamole + aspirin resulted in the lowest risk of bleeding. In MSs, compared to IVT, DAPT may be associated with better improvements in neurological function, and it may not increase the risk of bleeding.