Migraine and Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction: What About the Insulting Factor for Both Cerebral and Coronary Endothelia?

Abstract

We read the report by Aslan et al 1 Aslan G. Sade L.E. Yetis B. Bozbas H. Eroglu S. Pirat B. Can U. Muderrisoglu H. Flow in the left anterior descending coronary artery in patients with migraine headache. Am J Cardiol. 2013; 112: 1540-1544 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (11) Google Scholar investigating the association of migraine with coronary microvascular dysfunction using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography in a total of 40 migraineurs and 35 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. They have found that coronary flow reserve (CFR) was significantly lower in the migraine group (regardless of the aura) than the control group (1.99 ± 0.3 vs 2.90 ± 0.5, p <0.05). Also, CFR was significantly lower in women compared with men (2.32 ± 0.6 vs 2.63 ± 0.6, p <0.05). Although it has not been aimed primarily in this study, migraineurs revealed early diastolic dysfunction compared with healthy controls. After controlling for possible confounding factors, migraine has emerged as the only significant predictor of abnormal CFR (odds ratio 4.62, 95% confidence interval 1.06 to 20.61, p = 0.04). Flow in the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery in Patients With Migraine HeadacheAmerican Journal of CardiologyVol. 112Issue 10PreviewMigraine is a common neurovascular disorder characterized by attacks of severe headache, autonomic and neurologic symptoms. Migraine can affect many systems in the body, yet its effects on cardiovascular system are unclear. We hypothesized that migraine and coronary microvascular angina may be manifestations of a common systemic microvascular dysfunction and clinically associated. Forty patients with migraine and 35 healthy volunteers were included into the study. Using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography, coronary flow was visualized in the middle or distal part of the left anterior descending artery. Full-Text PDF