The combined IL-18 AA/MMP-9 CT/TT genotypes associated with an increase in risk of composite endpoints (OR = 1.87; 95% CI = 1.13–3.11, p = 0.015, adjusted) and ischemic stroke (OR = 2.54; 95% CI = 1.07–6.00, p = 0.034, adjusted). Here, IL18 is linked to ischemic stroke.