PRIMA study: New findings on the relationship between patent foramen ovale and migraine

PRIMA study: New findings on the link between patent foramen ovale and migraine

Approximately 10-15% of all Europeans suffer from migraines. Recent research has suggested a link between migraines and a common heart defect, a patent foramen ovale (PFO, "oval hole"). A PFO is a small opening between the upper chambers of the heart, which occurs in about 25% of the population. Blood flowing through this opening bypasses the filtration system of the lungs.

Studies have shown that people who suffer from severe migraines are more likely to have a patent foramen ovale (PFO). Therefore, it is suspected that migraine attacks are triggered by small blood clots that reach the brain along with unfiltered blood passing through the PFO. In certain cases, these blood clots can disrupt brain metabolism and cause migraine attacks.

The PRIMA study on patent foramen ovale and migraine

Current data from a comprehensive study involving the Kiel Pain Clinic are now available. The new study examined patients in whom this possible link between their headaches and patent foramen ovale (PFO) was to be clarified. The Kiel Pain Clinic is one of the international research centers where neurologists and cardiologists are investigating this connection. This clinical trial helps determine whether a common heart defect, a patent foramen ovale (PFO), contributes to migraine attacks.

The main finding was that, with regard to all forms of migraine, closure of the PFO has no generally significant effect.
However, it was shown that in cases of migraine with aura, the number of days with migraine aura was significantly reduced.
In the group of patients in whom the PFO was closed, 10% completely lost their seizures; in the control group, this was not achieved in any patient.
A differentiated analysis of the possible connection between migraine forms and PFO is therefore still required on an individual basis.