This invention relates to methods for using Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) to care for subjects in an acute care setting. Specifically, Lp-PLA2 can be used determine if a subject having a vascular event, such as a stroke or heart attack, will benefit from therapy in the acute care setting. Moreover, it relates to methods of assessing risk and severity of a stroke by evaluating Lp-PLA2 levels alone or in combination with other assessments. In addition the invention relates to methods of using Lp-PLA2 to assess the functional outcome in a subject having a vascular event such as a stroke or heart attack.
