title: Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale in patients with migraine headache.
abstract: Our objective is to review the epidemiology and pathophysiology of migraine headache, its association with patent foramen ovale (PFO), and the impact of PFO closure on migraine. Upon reviewing English-language publications listed in MEDLINE relating to migraine headache, PFO, and transcatheter closure of PFO, we selected case series, retrospective and prospective studies relevant to the topic. Primarily retrospective case-control studies demonstrate a link between PFO closure and improvement of migraine headache. Few prospective data confirm the initial results. However, the only randomized, controlled trial finished to date analyzing the effect of PFO closure on migraine failed to reach its primary outcome of resolution of migraine following the intervention. The evidence of a benefit on migraine headache following PFO closure is not convincing, but certainly intriguing. With currently ongoing trials, more information related to this topic can be expected.
authors.affiliation: Rush University Medical Center, Section of Cardiology, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spies
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schräder
mesh_terms: D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D020325:Migraine with Aura / Q000150:complications