Prevalence of Migraine in Adults with Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease

Migraine with aura and persistent foramen ovale

The association between migraine with aura and persistent foramen ovale (PFO), as well as other right-to-left shunts, is described. A hypothesis that might explain this association is discussed. Observational studies suggested that when a PFO is closed patients who have migraine with aura are usually improved. The Migraine Intervention with STARFlex Technology (MIST) Trial was a randomised double-blind trial in patients with severe intractable migraine with aura and a moderate-large PFO that compared implantation of STARFlex devices with the intention of closing their PFO versus a sham procedure. It was hoped that the trial would demonstrate whether PFO closure would cure migraine. A series of problems in design and execution of the trial are discussed.

Posterior Circulation Ischemia or Occlusion in Five Adults With Failing Fontan Circulation

BACKGROUND

Palliative procedures performed before the Fontan procedure may require ligation of the subclavian arteries, thereby affecting flow to the vertebral arteries. In adults with functionally univentricular heart disease, the implications of altered brainstem vascular anatomy for perioperative management of failing Fontan circulation are not known.

METHODS

We identified abnormal posterior circulation anatomy in an adult patient with failing Fontan circulation who experienced a brainstem stroke after Fontan conversion. We then changed our clinical practice to include detailed preoperative neurologic evaluation of adults with univentricular heart disease and failing Fontan circulation. Here, we report the clinical and neuroimaging findings in 5 consecutive patients before and after this change in practice.

RESULTS

Five patients ages 28 to 42 years had Fontan procedures performed in childhood, and underwent either Fontan conversion or cardiac transplantation. Patient 1 experienced an episode of decreased cerebral perfusion pressure on postoperative day 3, and experienced an ischemic brainstem stroke causing transient locked-in syndrome. A change in practice was made, and patients 2, 3, and 4 were evaluated preoperatively by the neurocritical care service. These patients then had higher target blood pressures perioperatively and no neurologic injury. Patient 5 was evaluated for symptoms consistent with subclavian steal. Neuroimaging in 3 patients was abnormal, with atrophic vertebral arteries, an occluded vertebral artery, and retrograde perfusion of a vertebral artery.

CONCLUSIONS

In adults with failing Fontan circulation there is a potential for neurologic complications as a result of venous congestion with elevated central venous pressures, and aberrant posterior circulation. The patient's history and brain imaging may be used to identify at-risk patients and to tailor perioperative management during Fontan conversion or heart transplantation to mitigate the risk for brainstem ischemia.

Investigation between the S377G3 GATA-4 polymorphism and migraine

Migraine is a common and painful neurological disorder, with genetic and environmental components. Several conditions have been shown to be comorbid with migraine, notably a cardiac malformation affecting the interatrial septum and leading to patent foramen ovale (PFO). Mutations in the development regulatory gene GATA-4, located on human chromosome 8p23.1-p22, have been found to be responsible for some cases of congenital heart defects including PFO. To determine whether the GATA-4 gene is involved in migraine, the present study performed an association analysis of a common GATA-4 variant that results in a change of amino acid (S377G), in a large case/control population (275 unrelated Caucasian migraineurs versus 275 control individuals). The results showed that there was no significant association for this polymorphism between migraine and controls (chi(2) = 0.84, P = 0.66). Thus it appears that the GATA-4 (S377G) mutation does not play a significant role in common migraine susceptibility.