Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
10:39

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache

Published on: June 2, 2014

18.2K

Headache patterns in patent foramen ovale patients: beyond migraine with aura

Raluca Ștefania Badea1,2, N Grecu3,4, A C Ribigan3,4

  • 1Department of Neurology, University and Emergency Hospital, 169 Splaiul Independenței, Bucharest, 050098, Romania. raluca.badea@umfcd.ro.

Journal of Neural Transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996)
|February 28, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is linked to headaches. This study found tension-type headaches and migraine without aura are more common in PFO patients than previously thought.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Headache Medicine

Background:

  • Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common cardiac anomaly.
  • PFO is associated with cryptogenic strokes and migraine, especially migraine with aura.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the range of headache disorders in patients with PFO.
  • To identify headache patterns in PFO patients beyond the established migraine link.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective observational study of PFO patients.
  • Headache classification using the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition.
  • Analysis of headache prevalence and patterns, comparing patients with and without stroke history.

Main Results:

  • 63 out of 177 (35.59%) PFO patients reported headaches.
  • Tension-type headache (15.25%) was most prevalent, followed by migraine without aura (11.30%) and migraine with aura (8.47%).
  • Migraine without aura was more common than migraine with aura; no significant difference in headache types based on stroke history.

Conclusions:

  • PFO patients exhibit a diverse spectrum of headache disorders.
  • Migraine without aura is more prevalent than migraine with aura in this PFO cohort.
  • Findings suggest a need for broader diagnostic considerations and tailored treatments for headaches in PFO patients.

Keywords:
HeadacheMigrainePatent foramen ovaleStrokeTension-type headache

More Related Videos

Dural Stimulation and Periorbital von Frey Testing in Mice As a Preclinical Model of Headache05:40

Dural Stimulation and Periorbital von Frey Testing in Mice As a Preclinical Model of Headache

Published on: July 29, 2021

7.9K
Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale PFO: An Intervention Sequence10:52

Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale PFO: An Intervention Sequence

Published on: December 23, 2022

3.2K

Related Concept Videos

Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:21

Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Thoracic, aortic arch and abdominal aneurysms are significant vascular conditions that can present with various clinical manifestations and lead to serious complications. Understanding these manifestations and the appropriate diagnostic studies is essential for effective management and treatment.Thoracic Aortic AneurysmsThoracic aortic aneurysms often remain asymptomatic until they reach a size that impinges on adjacent structures. They typically cause deep, diffuse chest pain that radiates to...
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction01:14

Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction

Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins with...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...