Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is the most common congenital heart defect and has been linked to migraines; however, the relationship between PFO and migraine remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate whether percutaneous PFO closure alleviates migraines and explore the association between PFO and migraine. METHODS: Data from 5581 inpatients with PFO were collected between 2015 and 2020. A total of 71 stroke-free adults with PFO (45 with closure and 26 without) were included. Self-reported migraine history, frequency, and severity (0-10) were assessed. Outcomes were compared between patients with and without PFO closure, and logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between PFO closure and migraine improvement. RESULTS: PFO closure significantly reduced migraine frequency and severity, with greater improvements observed after 2 years (p < 0.001). Logistic regression showed that PFO closure was associated with a higher likelihood of migraine improvement than non-closure (odds ratio (OR): 5.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.76-17.68; p = 0.004). This association persisted after adjusting for multiple risk factors (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous PFO closure significantly improved migraines by reducing both frequency and severity, supporting a potential association between PFO and migraine.