The investigators expect to find higher levels of both classical and minor antiphospholipid (APL) antibodies among the stroke cases. Furthermore, the investigators expect to find not only classical APLA but also minor antibodies.

The investigators believe that minor antibodies have a major role in the hypercoagulability state.

Inclusion Criteria:

• stroke diagnosis
• blood sampling within 36hrs from the event
• written agreement

Exclusion Criteria:

• a stroke, MI or major operation prior to the current stroke
• hypercoagulable state known in this patient
• a severe chronic disease known at the time of the stroke
• an infection on arrival (based on anamnesis, physical exam and lab tests)
• thrombolytic treatment

on a bank of 207 stroke patients serum samples, and also on 40 healthy controls. The samples were collected during the acute phase of the ischemic event.