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Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO): An Intervention Sequence
Published on: December 23, 2022
Migraine, stroke and patent foramen ovale: a dangerous trio?
Gianfranco Butera1, Elio Agostoni, Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai
1Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Policlinico San Donato IRCCS, San Donato Milanese (MI), Italy. gianfrancobutera@libero.it
Abstract:
The relationship between migraine, stroke and patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been the subject of considerable research efforts. Indeed, a lot of interest has focused on the potential benefits of percutaneous PFO closure. The aim of this article is to review data from the currently available literature. A total of 10 relevant studies were found in the literature, for a total of 1038 patients undergoing percutaneous PFO closure after events of cryptogenic stroke. Thirty-eight percent of these patients suffered from migraine. Combining the results of the available studies, 72% of patients were cured or improved significantly. Analysing the results according to migraine type, 81% of patients with migraine with aura had complete resolution or significantly improved as compared to 72% of patients with migraine without aura. Several limitations and drawbacks exist, however, and they are extensively discussed in this paper.
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