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).