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Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO): An Intervention Sequence
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Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO): An Intervention Sequence

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[Cryptogenic stroke - patent foramen ovale - migraine with aura: incidental triad or significant relationship? Part

Maria Łukasik1, Wojciech Kozubski

  • 1Katedra i Klinika Neurologii Uniwersytetu Medycznego im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu, ul. Przybyszewskiego 49, 60-355 Poznań. mlukasik@ump.edu.pl

Neurologia I Neurochirurgia Polska
|May 15, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is more common in migraine with aura patients. Migraine with aura increases stroke risk in women, especially with other vascular factors.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Migraine with aura (MWA) is a neurological condition.
  • Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a cardiac anomaly.
  • The link between MWA, PFO, and stroke requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the association between migraine with aura and patent foramen ovale (PFO).
  • To evaluate migraine with aura as a risk factor for ischemic stroke.
  • To discuss the pathophysiology and treatment implications, including PFO closure.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing studies on migraine with aura, PFO, and stroke.
  • Analysis of prevalence data for PFO in MWA patients.
  • Discussion of theoretical mechanisms, including paradoxical embolism.

Main Results:

  • PFO with right-to-left shunt is more prevalent in patients with migraine with aura.
  • Migraine with aura is identified as a risk factor for ischemic stroke in women.
  • The risk of stroke is amplified by coexisting vascular risk factors like oral contraceptive use and smoking.

Conclusions:

  • The association between MWA and PFO is significant, with paradoxical embolism as a leading hypothesis.
  • Migraine with aura poses a notable risk for ischemic stroke in women, particularly when combined with other vascular risk factors.
  • The benefit-risk ratio of percutaneous PFO closure in migraine patients warrants careful consideration.

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