Abstract
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common cardiac anomaly linked with cryptogenic strokes and migraine, particularly migraine with aura. This study aims to explore the spectrum of headache disorders in PFO patients, focusing on identifying patterns beyond the well-established migraine-PFO connection. A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PFO. Headache types were classified using the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. The study analyzed headache prevalence and patterns in PFO patients, comparing those with and without a history of stroke. Of 177 participants, 63 (35.59%) reported headaches. Tension-type headache was the most common (15.25%), followed by migraine without aura (11.30%) and migraine with aura (8.47%). Notably, migraine without aura was more prevalent than migraine with aura, contrasting previous assumptions. No significant differences were found in headache types based on stroke history. The study reveals a diverse spectrum of headache types in PFO patients, with migraine without aura being more common than migraine with aura. These findings suggest a need for broader diagnostic perspective and individualized treatment approaches in PFO patients with headaches.
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by RȘB, NG and AR. The first draft of the manuscript was written by RȘB and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Badea, R.Ș., Grecu, N., Ribigan, A.C. et al. Headache patterns in patent foramen ovale patients: beyond migraine with aura. J Neural Transm (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-024-02760-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-024-02760-8