PCSK9 and ischemic stroke: PCSK9-GS was associated with lower risks of carotid plaque [n = 8340 cases; OR = 0.61 (95% confidence interval: 0.45–0.83); P = 0.0015], major occlusive vascular events [n = 15 752; 0.80 (0.67–0.95); P = 0.011], and ischaemic stroke [n = 11 467; 0.80 (0.66–0.98); P = 0.029].