Migraine and patent foramen ovale

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Updated: May 4, 2026

Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale PFO: An Intervention Sequence
10:52

Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale PFO: An Intervention Sequence

Published on: December 23, 2022

7.7K

Jessica Ailani1

  • 1Department of Neurology, Georgetown Headache Center, Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Road NW, 7PHC, Washington, DC, USA, Jessica.x.ailani@gunet.georgetown.edu.

Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
|January 10, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure is not recommended for migraine patients. Current evidence does not support routine PFO screening or treatment for managing migraine with aura.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Medical Devices

Background:

  • Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder impacting society.
  • Patent foramen ovale (PFO) affects approximately 25% of the population.
  • Observational studies suggest a link between PFO and migraine with aura, though population-based data is conflicting.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between PFO and migraine, particularly migraine with aura.
  • To assess the efficacy of PFO closure in improving migraine symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • Review of observational studies reporting PFO prevalence in migraine patients.
  • Analysis of prospective, placebo-controlled trials on PFO closure for migraine with aura.

Main Results:

  • Observational studies indicate a higher prevalence of PFO in migraine with aura patients.
  • The only prospective, placebo-controlled trial did not demonstrate improved migraine outcomes after PFO closure.
  • Evidence does not support routine PFO detection or closure for migraine management.

Conclusions:

  • Current evidence does not support the routine screening or closure of PFO in patients experiencing migraines.
  • The potential association between large PFOs and migraine triggers requires further investigation.
  • PFO closure is not currently recommended as a standard treatment for migraine with aura.

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