Objective The benefit of short-term dual antiplatelet therapy(DAPT) following second-generation drug-eluting stents implantation has not been systematically evaluated. To bridge the knowledge gap,we did a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of ≤6 months versus ≥12 months DAPT among patients with second-generation drug-eluting stents. Methods We searched online databases and identified randomized controlled trials that assess the clinical impact of short-term DAPT(≤6 months) published before March 3,2016. The efficacy endpoints included the incidence of all-cause death,myocardial infarction,cerebrovascular accidents,and definite or probable stent thrombosis. Safety endpoint defined as major bleeding was also evaluated and discussed. Results We included 5 trials that randomized 9473 participants(49.8%,short-term DAPT duration vs. 50.2%,standard duration). A total of 9445(99.7%) patients reported the efficacy endpoints,and the safety endpoint was available from 4 studies(n=8457). There was no significant difference in efficacy endpoints between short-term and standard DAPT duration(≥12 months) [risk ratio(RR) 0.96; 95% confidence intervals(CI),0.80-1.15]. Short-term DAPT duration did not significantly increase the individual risk of all-cause death,myocardial infarction,cerebrovascular accidents,or definite or probable stent thrombosis. Although short-term DAPT obviously reduced risk of major bleeding compared with standard DAPT(RR 0.53; 95% CI,0.29-0.96),significant publication bias was found when accessing the safety endpoint of the 4 studies(Egger’s test,P=0.009). Conclusions The efficacy of short-term DAPT was comparable with that of standard duration DAPT.DAPT less than 6 months may be appropriate for patients receiving second-generation drug-eluting stents implantation. Objective The benefit of short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following second-generation drug-eluting stents implantation has not been systematically evaluated. To bridge the knowledge gap, we did a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of ≤6 months versus ≥ 12 months DAPT among patients with second-generation drug-eluting stents. Methods We searched online databases and identified randomized controlled trials that assess the clinical impact of short-term DAPT (≤6 months) published before March 3, 2016. The efficacy endpoints included the incidence of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accidents, and definite or probable stent thrombosis. Results We included 5 trials that were randomized 9473 participants (49.8%, short-term DAPT duration vs. 50.2%, standard duration). A total of 9445 (99.7%) patients reported the efficacy endpoints, and the safety endpoint was available from 4 studies (n = 8457). T here was no significant difference in efficacy endpoints between short-term and standard DAPT duration (≥12 months) [risk ratio (RR) 0.96; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.80-1.15]. Short-term DAPT duration did not significantly increase the individual risk of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accidents, or definite or probable stent thrombosis. Although reduced risk of major bleeding compared with standard DAPT (RR 0.53; 95% CI, 0.29-0.96) , significant publication bias was found when accessing the safety endpoint of the 4 studies (Egger’s test, P = 0.009). Conclusions The efficacy of short-term DAPT was comparable with that of standard duration DAPT. DAPT less than 6 months may be appropriate for patients receiving second-generation drug-eluting stents implantation.