MMP9 and cardioembolic stroke: Serum levels of MMP9 were higher in large artery atherosclerosis strokes (n = 26, 1,137 ng/mL) vs. cardioembolic strokes (n = 86, 517 ng/mL). MMP9 >1,110 ng/mL had 85% sensitivity and 52% specificity for differentiating large vessel from cardioembolic strokes.