End points
Functional outcome of all patients was assessed with the modified Rankin
Scale (mRS) at 3 months after ischemic stroke, with scores ranging from
0 (no symptoms) to 6 (death) (19). Information of functional outcome was
collected via direct or telephone interviews with patients or family
members by trained neurologists. The mRS score was dichotomized into
good outcome (mRS score 0–2) and poor outcome (mRS score 3–6) (20).