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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
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Correlation or causation: untangling the relationship between patent foramen ovale and migraine

Eric Adler1, Barry Love, Steve Giovannone

  • 1The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1030, New York, NY 10029, USA.

Current Cardiology Reports
|March 17, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Migraine headaches are linked to patent foramen ovale (PFO). Closing a PFO may improve migraine symptoms, with ongoing studies evaluating device effectiveness for this condition.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Medical Devices

Background:

  • Observational studies suggest a correlation between migraine headaches and patent foramen ovale (PFO).
  • Hypotheses propose that right-to-left shunting through a PFO may contribute to migraine etiology, potentially by allowing venous agents like serotonin to bypass pulmonary circulation.
  • Emerging evidence indicates that PFO closure might alleviate migraine symptoms and serve as a therapeutic intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between patent foramen ovale (PFO) and migraine headaches.
  • To explore the potential of PFO closure as a treatment for migraines.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of specific devices in PFO closure for migraine patients.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing observational literature.
  • Formulation of etiological hypotheses regarding PFO and migraine.
  • Ongoing randomized controlled double-blinded studies evaluating PFO closure devices.

Main Results:

  • Literature indicates an association between migraine and PFO.
  • Hypothesized mechanisms involve right-to-left shunting of substances like serotonin.
  • Preliminary evidence suggests PFO closure may improve migraine symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • A link exists between patent foramen ovale and migraine headaches.
  • PFO closure is a potential treatment modality for migraines.
  • Further research through randomized controlled trials is necessary to confirm the role of PFO closure devices in migraine management.

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