Migraine and Patent Foramen Ovale — A Population-Based Study

No association was found to support PFO closure for treatment of migraine.

An association between migraine headache and patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been reported in some case–control studies. However, this association — and the use of device closure of PFO to treat migraine — is controversial. To determine the prevalence of PFO and migraine comorbidity in the general population, investigators for NOMAS, an ongoing prospective study of participants from the community of northern Manhattan, examined a sample of 1101 stroke-free individuals (mean age, 69; 58% women).

Migraine was self-reported by 16% of subjects, and migraine with aura by 13%. The prevalence of PFO, as detected by transthoracic echocardiography with saline contrast injection and provocative maneuvers, was 15% and did not differ between subjects wit…

Reviewing Author

Howard C. Herrmann, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAffluent Medical; Artedrone; Caranx; Johnson & Johnson; Medtronic; Prolifagen; Wells Fargo

EquityMicrointerventional Devices, Inc.

RoyaltiesUniversity of Pennsylvania

Grant/Research SupportAbbott Vascular; Edwards Lifesciences; Johnson & Johnson; Medtronic

Editorial BoardsCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions; Journal of the American College of Cardiology; Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions; JACC Cardiovascular Interventions; JACC Case Reports; JSCAI