Analysis of Risk Factors Related to the Efficacy of Foramen Ovale Closure as a Therapy for Migraine

Int Heart J. 2023 Mar 31;64(1):28-35. doi: 10.1536/ihj.22-117. Epub 2023 Jan 23.

Abstract

This study aimed to monitor the incidence of migraine non-remission after percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure and to discuss relevant risk factors. Recently, evidence of a relationship between the presence of PFO and migraines has been found, and PFO closure has been pointed out as a possible treatment for migraineurs.A retrospective analysis was conducted, which involved 139 patients diagnosed with PFO and associated migraine who underwent percutaneous PFO closure in The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2019 to April 2021. All the considered patients were evaluated using the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6™) and classified with a score higher than 55 points before closure. The HIT-6™ score was re-evaluated 1-6 months after the intervention. HIT-6™ ≤ 55 was defined as headache remission (n = 93) and > 55 as headache non-remission (n = 46). A logistic regression model was developed to identify the risk factors of headache non-remission after PFO closure.The incidence of headache non-remission after PFO closure was 33.09%. Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups as regards age and serum phosphorus level (P < 0.05). History of smoking, atrial fibrillation, absolute lymphocyte count, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and interventricular septal thickness were identified as independent risk factors for headache non-remission following PFO closure, which were statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Keywords: Headache; Interventional closure; Lymphocyte; Patent foramen ovale; Phosphorus.

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Catheterization / adverse effects
  • Foramen Ovale*
  • Foramen Ovale, Patent* / complications
  • Foramen Ovale, Patent* / surgery
  • Headache / complications
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders* / complications
  • Migraine Disorders* / etiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Septal Occluder Device* / adverse effects
  • Treatment Outcome