A Cochrane review included 6 studies with a total of 1274 subjects. No significant benefits of naftidrofuryl compared with placebo were found in reducing the risks of mortality (pooled odds ratio (OR) 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78 to 1.36, six studies) or combined death or dependency/disability (pooled OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.16, three studies). Pooled results showed naftidrofuryl had no significant effect on systolic, diastolic or mean arterial blood pressure. No trials reported the effects of naftidrofuryl on the risk of early death or deterioration, quality of life, stroke recurrence, or discharge site. However, a trend was found towards an increase in risk of minor adverse events in patients taking naftidrofuryl (OR 1.99, 95% CI 0.96 to 4.11, P = 0.06).