Prevalence of atrial septal aneurysm in patients with migraine: an echocardiographic study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of atrial septal aneurysm in patients with migraine.


BACKGROUND
Migraine has long been considered a risk factor for stroke. Atrial septal aneurysm is often observed in young patients with ischemic stroke and is frequently associated with other conditions potentially leading to embolism.


METHODS
We performed a transthoracic echocardiogram in 90 consecutive patients (65 women and 25 men; mean age, 35.3 years [standard deviation, 9]) with migraine but free from cerebral and cardiovascular disease and in 53 control subjects (37 women and 16 men; mean age, 34 years [standard deviation, 10]). The diagnosis of atrial septal aneurysm was performed according to Olivares-Reyes criteria. A transesophageal echocardiogram also was performed in 75 patients with migraine (83.3%).


RESULTS
The prevalence of isolated atrial septal aneurysm was higher in patients with migraine with aura (28.5%) than in patients with migraine without aura (3.6%) (P <.005) or in control subjects (1.9%) (P <.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest a role of atrial septal aneurysm in the genesis of aura in patients with migraine.
Carerj
S
S
Department of Cardiology, University of Messina, Via Campo delle Vettovaglie 10, 98122 Messina, Italy.
Narbone
M C
MC
Zito
C
C
Serra
S
S
Coglitore
S
S
Pugliatti
P
P
Luzza
F
F
Arrigo
F
F
Oreto
G
G
D000328:Adult; D004452:Echocardiography; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006322:Heart Aneurysm / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D020325:Migraine with Aura / Q000150:complications; D015995:Prevalence