title: Contrast echocardiography and migraine in divers with patent foramen ovale.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been proposed that the patent foramen ovale (PFO) may be associated with migraine, in particular migraine with aura. However, it is not clear whether paradoxical embolism triggers crises of headache. Cerebral embolization is provoked in subjects with PFO through contrast echocardiography, a safe method to diagnose the presence of foramen ovale pervium.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four men practicing diving, an activity characterized by increased prevalence of PFO and migraine, underwent trans-thoracic echocardiography with contrast solution, composed of saline and air mixture and checked for the occurrence of migraine in the following 24 hours.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A PFO (five of minimal size, i.e. visible only during Valsalva, one of small and two of medium size) was detected in 8/24 divers (33%). No one reported headache over the 24 hours after the procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our preliminary data suggest that cerebral micro-embolism, provoked by contrast echocardiography, does not systematically trigger migraine crises when a minimal-to-medium sized patent foramen ovale is present.
authors: Department of Neuromotor Rehabilitation, Sapienza University of Rome Polo Pontino-ICOT, Latina, Italy. rob.dif@tiscali.it
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Di Fabio
authors: Elisabetta
authors: E
authors: Giugni
authors: Imerio
authors: I
authors: Angeloni
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Vanacore
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Casali
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Pierallini
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Vadalà
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Pierelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004242:Diving; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology