Percutaneous Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale is Associated With Improvement of Migraine

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.