Investigating the Patent Foramen Ovale-Migraine Link in Southern Saudi Arabia.

Migraine is a disabling neurological condition linked to patent foramen ovale (PFO). This study involved 45 patients from January to April 2024. There were 30 migraine patients with PFO and 15 without PFO. All participants underwent transthoracic echocardiography and completed several standardized assessments. These included the Migraine Disability Assessment and the Headache Impact Test. The average patient age was 37 years. Over half of the patients experienced migraine with aura. This proportion was notably higher among those with PFO. Key factors included a positive family history and poor therapy responses. Positional worsening of symptoms was significantly more common in the PFO group. Fibrinogen levels and various migraine-related scores showed significant differences between the two groups. Patients with PFO experienced more severe symptoms and greater disability. These results suggest a strong link between PFO and migraine characteristics, influencing potential clinical management strategies. Clinical relevance: This research indicates that patients with PFO may experience more severe migraines.