Evaluation of Patent Foramen Ovale in Migraine with aura Headaches

Migraine is one of the most common headaches, and is one of the most common disabling medical conditions worldwide. Migraine has two types, with aura and without aura. Nearly 15% of migraines are with aura, and the most common aura is visual. Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is the most common defect in atrial septum of heart, and prevalence rate population is 25%. Lately PFO has been recognized to be a risk factor for migraine with aura. Methods and mareials : This study is cross sectional and has been done on 50 patients of migraine with aura, and 25 normal people (without migraine) as control group. We used saline agitated test by Doppler sonograph for recognizing PFO. The rate of PFO in patients’ group was 44% and in control group was 20%. The rate of PFO is more in patients with rate of headaches more than 3 times in a month. migraine with aura has relation with PFO, especially for patients with frequent attacks more than 3 times per months. The closure of PFO in these patients need to be studied more, especially that there are feasible procedures available now.