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Review
. 2019 May;29(2):261-270.
doi: 10.1016/j.nic.2019.01.006.

The Connection Between Patent Foramen Ovale and Migraine

Preetham Kumar  1 , Yasufumi Kijima  2 , Brian H West  1 , Jonathan M Tobis  3
Affiliations
Free article
Review

The Connection Between Patent Foramen Ovale and Migraine

Preetham Kumar et al. Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2019 May.
Free article

Abstract

"Observational studies have identified a relationship between patent foramen ovale (PFO) and migraine headache. In people who have migraine with aura, 40% to 60% have a PFO, compared with 20% to 30% in the general adult population. It is hypothesized that migraine, especially migraine with aura, may be triggered by hypoxemia or vasoactive chemicals (eg, serotonin), which are ordinarily metabolized during passage through the lungs. Although PFO closure is currently not a FDA-approved therapy for migraines, randomized trials suggest that this intervention may benefit a subgroup of migraineurs."

Keywords: Migraine headache; Patent foramen ovale; Right-to-left shunt.

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