PRIMA study: New results on the connection between open foramen ovale and migraines

Around 10-15% of all Europeans suffer from migraines. Recent research has suggested, among other things, a connection between migraines and a common heart defect, the patent foramen ovale (PFO). A PFO is a small opening between the upper chambers of the heart that occurs in about 25% of the population. Blood flowing through this opening bypasses the lungs' filtering system.

Studies have shown that people who suffer from severe migraines are more likely to have this patent foramen ovale. It is therefore assumed that migraine attacks are triggered by small blood clots that reach the brain with the unfiltered blood through the open foramen ovale. In special cases, these blood clots can disrupt brain metabolism and cause migraine attacks.

The PRIMA study on patent foramen ovale and migraine

Current data from an extensive study involving the Kiel Pain Clinic are now available. The new study looked at patients who needed to clarify this possible link between their headaches and PFO. The Kiel Pain Clinic is one of the international test centers where neurologists and cardiologists are investigating this connection. This clinical study will help determine whether a common heart defect, the patent foramen ovale (PFO), contributes to migraine attacks.

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