ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of perioperative dual antiplatelet treatment (DAPT) or single antiplatelet treatment (SAPT) for patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA).MethodsWe searched English and Chinese databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, Chongqing VIP, and relevant clinical trial registry platforms (searched from database establishment to January 2020). Cohort studies or randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included to evaluated the use of DAPT and SAPT for patients undergoing CEA. Stroke, myocardial infarction, artery restenosis, and composite endpoint (stroke or myocardial infarction or artery restenosis) were used as effectiveness outcomes. Death and any bleeding event were used as safety outcomes. Meta-analysis was performed with Review Manager 5.3 and STATA 15.1 softwares.ResultsA total of 11 studies with 123 748 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that there was no significant decrease in the risk of stroke [relative risk (RR)=0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.66, 1.01), P=0.06], myocardial infarction [RR=1.31, 95%CI (0.92, 1.87), P=0.13], artery restenosis [RR=0.55, 95%CI (0.18, 1.68), P=0.29], or composite endpoint event [RR=0.90, 95%CI (0.59, 1.37), P=0.62] for CEA patients with DAPT during the perioperative period compared with SAPT. The difference in mortality rate was not statistically significant between DAPT and SAPT for CEA patients during the perioperative period [RR=0.99, 95%CI (0.44, 2.22), P=0.97]. CEA patients with DAPT had a higher risk of any bleeding event [RR=1.64, 95%CI (1.08, 2.50), P=0.02].ConclusionsPerioperative CEA patients with DAPT are not associated with a lower risk of vascular events recurrence, but the risk of any bleeding event may increase. Therefore, SAPT during the perioperative period of patients undergoing CEA may be better than DAPT.