Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
10:52
Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO): An Intervention Sequence
Published on: December 23, 2022
Patent foramen ovale and migraine
Hans-Christoph Diener1, Tobias Kurth, David Dodick
1Department of Neurology, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany. hans.diener@uni-duisburg-essen.de
Current Pain and Headache Reports
|May 17, 2007
Summary
Migraine is associated with patent foramen ovale (PFO), but evidence for a causal link is lacking. PFO closure is not recommended for migraine prevention due to insufficient evidence from clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Observational studies suggest a link between migraine and patent foramen ovale (PFO).
- Potential biological mechanisms, including shared genetics, have been proposed.
- Current evidence is insufficient to establish a causal relationship between PFO and migraine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between PFO and migraine.
- To assess the efficacy of PFO closure for migraine prophylaxis.
Main Methods:
- Review of observational studies.
- Analysis of a large randomized controlled trial on PFO closure for migraine.
Main Results:
- Observational studies indicate an association.
- A large randomized trial did not support the benefit of PFO closure for migraine frequency.
- Uncontrolled studies suggested potential benefits, but lacked robust evidence.
Conclusions:
- A causal link between PFO and migraine remains unproven.
- PFO closure is not currently recommended for migraine prophylaxis.
- Further evidence from ongoing controlled trials is needed.
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