QTc dispersion and P-wave dispersion during migraine attacks

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Migraine is a common neurological disorder.
• Cardiac electrical activity changes during migraine are not fully understood.
• QTc and P-wave dispersion are markers of cardiac electrical heterogeneity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the changes in QTc dispersion and P-wave dispersion during migraine attacks.
• To compare these cardiac electrophysiological parameters between migraine attacks and pain-free periods.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-five migraine patients (16-65 years) underwent 12-lead ECG during attacks and pain-free periods.
• ECG data were analyzed for heart rate, QTc interval, P-wave duration, and their dispersions.
• Image processing software was used for ECG analysis.

Main Results:

• Significantly higher maximum QTc interval, QTc interval, and QTc dispersion were observed during migraine attacks compared to pain-free periods (P < 0.001).
• Maximum P-wave duration and P-wave dispersion were also significantly elevated during migraine attacks (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Migraine attacks are associated with increased QTc and P-wave dispersion.
• These findings suggest potential cardiac electrical instability during migraine attacks.