PLA2G7 and carotid atherosclerosis: Clinical data suggested that the elevated levels of Lp-PLA2 mass and the higher levels of the corresponding activity were associated with the progression of atherosclerotic disease.[41] Certain human- and animal-based studies further highlighted an increase in the expression of Lp-PLA2 in atherosclerotic lesions and plasma, which were related to accelerated atherogenesis.[35,42,43] Although the most common cause of ischemic stroke is atherosclerosis, the causes of ischemic stroke are more heterogeneous compared with those noted in atherosclerotic heart disease.