Twenty consecutive patients with ischemic stroke confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and 40 healthy age-matched controls were enrolled in the study. Thirteen of the patients had an underlying disease and/or risk factors. Infection was the most common underlying factor (4 patients). Four patients had heterozygote FVL and 3 patients showed heterozygosity for PT 20210A. A weak positive association between FV1691A and high FVIIIc levels (r = -.110) was determined. Comparison of the prevalence of high FVIIIc levels in patients and healthy subjects with and without FVL/PT 20210 indicated that high FVIII levels are an independent risk factor.