This comprehensive meta-analysis investigated the potential association of (1) NOTCH3 rs1043994, rs1044009 and rs3815188 polymorphisms with ischemic stroke risk; (2) NOTCH3 rs1043994 and rs3815188 polymorphisms with lacunar stroke risk; and (3) NOTCH3 rs3815188 polymorphism with atherothrombotic stroke risk. The gene discussed is NOTCH3; the disease is ischemic stroke.