Hypothesis of "stroke-stop" formula: a tool for risk index determination in development of acute cerebrovascular disease in asymptomatic individuals with carotid stenosis.

Background: Extracranial carotid artery disease is considered a risk factor for developing acute cerebrovascular diseases. The paper suggests the "Stroke-Stop" formula as hypothesis for the determination of the risk of developing stroke in asymptomatic individuals with carotid stenosis. The formula is based on a mathematical calculation of the major risk factors for stroke: the degree of ICA (internal carotid artery) stenosis, the morphological structure of the atherosclerotic plaque and the level of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) concentration.