The 2020 breakthroughs in early secondary prevention: dual antiplatelet therapy versus single antiplatelet therapy

Single antiplatelet therapy represents an established treatment in secondary prevention of ischemic strokes and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). In contrast with coronary artery disease, the use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for secondary prevention in patients with acute cerebral ischemia (ACI) remains under debate. In this narrative review, we present and analyse the most recent findings concerning the potential efficacy and safety of DAPT therapy after ischemic strokes or TIA.

Following the publication of the three (CHANCE, POINT and THALES) large, randomized-controlled, clinical trials (RCTs) that showed efficacy of early DAPT for the secondary prevention after minor AIS or TIA, short-term DAPT use is becoming the most prevalent choice of treatment. Notably, DAPT is even more popular after AIS attributed to large artery atherosclerosis given randomized data from small RCTs supporting the use of DAPT in patients with extracranial or intracranial atherosclerosis and microembolization detected by transcranial Doppler. Recent subanalysis of data from the randomized trials aim to identify specific patient subgroups, which are determined by genetic, imaging or clinical characteristics, and for whom DAPT appears to be more beneficial. The potential role of different antiplatelet agents (aspirin, clopidogrel, ticagrelor) is also discussed.

DAPT has recently proven its efficacy for the early secondary prevention of AIS patients with minor stroke severity and high-risk TIA patients. However, the length of DAPT is still controversial, as well as the individualized selection of AIS or TIA patients with the lower risk of bleeding and with the greater benefit in prevention of ischemic cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events.