PFO's

I have a significant PFO in my heart. I've gone to several good cardiologists, who both would like to see it closed as my stroke risk is really high at the moment, for various reasons.
Insurance won't close it until I actually HAVE a stroke. Nice, eh?
The MIST trials, as told to me by several specialists in a few countries, have shown that closing the flap doesn't help migraine patients like they had hoped. Those in the placebo, controlled group, found that their migraines improved after the fake closure.
Hey, even if its only a placebo, I would do anything to be in this trial. Whether its physical or psychological, if it improves my head why not?!!!
Has anyone else had any news on what is going on with this PFO/Migraine relationship?
Thanks!
Tea

It got off to a cracking start here, but has fizzled out.
It only seemed to be aura people it helped, and then they decided it was not really panning out.
They stopped the trial I think.

Not good news for you.
I have two friends in Utah who had it done, for their heart not migraines.

P

Hi Tea,

I have a 4 out of 5 PFO and chronic daily migraines. My neuro told me the same thing that you have heard, that it hasn't been proven that closing it would help. Also, she said that if you have the procedure now without proof, you may find out in the future that you really don't want something foreign in your heart.

She recommended taking an aspirin a day for stroke risk. I actually cannot take aspirin but take Indomethacin (an NSAID) for migraines, so that does the trick.

I'm waiting like you....hoping for an answer to these beastly migraines soon.

Ann

I asked a cardiologist the same question and his experience was that PFO has nothing do to with migraines. He sounded well informed on this theory so I guess that his opinion was not partial.

Your cardiologist should step up to the plate and make some phone calls.

Sounds like total bs to me.

Stroke costs much more than a simple PFO procedure. The cardio needs to justify PFO closure due to cardiac reasons, and it will be covered.

PFO and migraine is anecdotal. PFO and stroke + cardiac involvment isn't. If it warrants closing, it shouldn't be a problem getting it covered.

Find another cardiologist.

Many of the studies that looked at PFO closure for Migraine were abandoned before they were completed. The UK study that was completed, didn't show PFO closure to be as helpful as they thought it would be.

I just read a release about a completed study of PFO closure to prevent stroke and TIA didn't meet its endpoint (projected outcome) either. The preliminary results indicate that closure with STARFlex(R) provided a small, but not statistically significant, benefit over current best medical therapy.

That's the most current info I have.

Teri

That is exactly the same as we were told here in the UK as well.

Thank you, Teri.

It's hard not to get our hopes up about a possible link that can be resolved...
Alas, it's not meant to be.
Mr. M, I will certainly follow-up with my cardiologist in a few weeks and see what he has to say. I have had several TIA's now, and the PFO has grown for some reason!

I hope they keep searching for connections. It just blows my mind how many people have migraines with co-morbid issues and what little research is available on it.
Tea

It just blows my mind how many people have migraines with co-morbid issues and what little research is available on it.
Tea

That is why I started my FB page Tea. I have a theory that there is more to the co-morbid than is being acknowledged at the moment. Meanwhile we enjoy discussing the crossover effect.

Pen