Cardiac Cephalalgia Research Articles

Evaluation of the ICHD-3 diagnostic criteria for cardiac cephalalgia and new proposal.

The current International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3) diagnostic criteria for cardiac cephalalgia were established according to previous case reports and the opinion of experts. We aimed to assess the ICHD-3 diagnostic criteria for cardiac cephalalgia. We conducted a series of cases study and evaluated these criteria in 54 patients with cardiac cephalalgia. Next, we assessed whether the ICHD-3 diagnostic criteria B, C and D for migraine without aura were fulfilled by these patients. ICHD-3 criteria A, B, C1, C2 and D for cardiac cephalalgia were met by 100% of patients, whereas criterion C3 was fulfilled by 81.5%. The least frequently fulfilled sub-criterion was C3b (accompanied by nausea) (18.5%). Moreover, we found that ICHD-3 criteria B, C and D for migraine without aura were met by a low proportion of patients: 11.1%, 46.3% and 25.9%, respectively, and no patient fulfilled the three criteria simultaneously. Based on our results, we propose revised diagnostic criteria for cardiac cephalalgia. We suggest removing criterion C3 and C4. We also suggest removing the word "migraine-like" from its description.

Prevalence, clinical characteristics and associated factors of cardiac cephalalgia: A prospective study.

The prevalence of cardiac cephalalgia is unknown and there is limited information about its clinical features. We aimed to assess the prevalence of cardiac cephalalgia, its clinical characteristics and associated factors. We conducted a prospective study of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome admitted to the Cardiology Service at Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain, over a one-year period. We interviewed patients within the first 24 hours of admission using a standardized case-report form to assess the presence of headache in relation to the acute coronary syndrome and its characteristics. We included 438 patients, 381 with confirmed myocardial ischemia. Prevalence of cardiac cephalalgia was 14.2% (n = 54). The most common features were frontal location, pressing quality and moderate intensity. Pain referred to the jaws (aOR 2.61; 95% CI 1.33-5.12; p = 0.005), palpitations (aOR 3.65; 95% CI 1.57-8.50; p = 0.003) and circumflex coronary artery as the culprit artery for the myocardial ischemia (aOR 3.8; 95% CI 1.07-13.74; p = 0.021) were related to cardiac whereas history of hypertension was inversely associated (aOR 0.37: 95% CI 0.18-0.74; p = 0.005). The prevalence of cardiac cephalalgia was 14.2%. Our study provides valuable information about cardiac cephalalgia characteristics that suggest revision of current diagnostic criteria.

Update on headaches associated with physical exertion.

Headaches associated with physical exertion include headache precipitated by coughing or other Valsalva maneuvers, headache brought on by prolonged physical exercise, sexual headaches and cardiac cephalalgia. To review and update the clinical characteristics, etiologies, pathophysiology and management of these headaches related to exertion. In depth review of the publications, both in PubMed and in the main textbooks, of the different headaches induced by physical exercise. Cough, exercise and sexual headaches can be primary or secondary; therefore, complementary studies are mandatory to rule out structural lesions. However, clinical characteristics, such as an old age and response to indomethacin for cough headache or being a young male and response to beta-blockers for exercise and sexual headaches, plus a normal examination are suggestive of a primary etiology. Etiology for secondary varieties, as posterior fossa lesions for cough headache or vascular malformations for exercise and sexual headaches, are also different. Finally, headache as a distant manifestation of myocardial ischemia, also known as "cardiac cephalalgia", appears at exertion in around two-thirds of cases and typically lasts less than 30 minutes and is relieved by nitroglycerine. Primary and secondary cough headache can usually be suspected based on clinical characteristics and separated from exercise and sexual headaches, which share many aspects. Cardiac cephalalgia is not necessarily an exertional headache and should be considered in adult patients with short lasting headaches and patent vascular risk factors.

Kardiogena glavobolja

Cardiac cephalalgia has a small incidence, but unrecognized it can prolong the time to diagnose a life-threatening condition such as acute coronary event. According to its clinical presentation, it can refer to a migraine. Even in the absence of clinically and laboratory evident signs, the diagnosis of cardiac migraine should be kept in mind because sometimes it is the only symptom of a threatening coronary event. The choice of treatment depends on a correctly established diagnosis. A reckless inclusion of vasoconstrictors as a standard therapeutic modality of migraine in a patient with a cardiac cephalalgia could worsen ischemia and endanger the patient's life. By solving an acute coronary event conservatively, with percutaneous coronary interventions or coronary "bypass," cardiac cephalalgia is eliminated as well.

Cardiac cephalalgia: a case series of four patients and updated literature review

BackgroundCardiac damage is common in patients with acute brain injury; however, little is known regarding cardiac-induced neurological symptoms. In the International Classification of Headache, Third Edition (ICHD-III), cardiac cephalalgia is classified as a headache caused by impaired homeostasis.MethodsThis report presents four patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who presented with headache that fulfilled the ICHD-III diagnostic criteria for cardiac cephalalgia. A systematic review of cardiac cephalalgia using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines is also presented.ResultsCase 1: A 69-year-old man with a history of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) developed sudden severe occipital pain, nausea, and cold sweating. Coronary angiography (CAG) revealed occlusion of the right coronary artery (RCA). Case 2: A 66-year-old woman complained of increasing occipitalgia and chest discomfort while riding a bicycle. CAG demonstrated 99% stenosis of the left anterior descending artery. Case 3: A 54-year-old man presented with faintness, cold sweating, and occipitalgia after eating lunch. CAG detected occlusion of the RCA. Case 4: A 72-year-old man went into shock after complaining of a sudden severe headache and nausea. Vasopressors were initiated and emergency CAG was performed, which detected three-vessel disease. In all four, electrocardiography (ECG) showed ST segment elevation or depression and echocardiography revealed a left ventricular wall motion abnormality. All patients underwent PCI, which resulted in headache resolution after successful coronary reperfusion. A total of 59 cases of cardiac cephalalgia were reviewed, including the four reported here. Although the typical manifestation of cardiac cephalalgia is migraine-like pain on exertion, it may present with thunderclap headache without a trigger or chest symptoms, mimicking subarachnoid hemorrhage. ECG may not always show an abnormality. Headaches resolve after successful coronary reperfusion.ConclusionsCardiac cephalalgia resulting from AMI can present with or without chest discomfort and even mimic the classic thunderclap headache associated with SAH. It should be recognized as a neurological emergency and treated without delay.

Clinical analysis of 30 cases of cardiac cephalalgia.

To investigate the clinical characteristics of cardiac cephalalgia and determine whether there is a more suitable alternative criterion. Patients with cardiac cephalalgia diagnosed and treated from May 2019 to April 2021 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Zhengzhou, China) were prospectively and consecutively collected, their clinical manifestations were analyzed, and compared with the 2018 diagnostic criteria. A total of 30 patients were collected, including 16 males and 14 females. The onset age ranged from 31 to 84 years old, with a mean of 64.6 ± 11.9 years. Headache was more common in unilateral or bilateral frontotemporal, and the nature of pain includes pulsating, dull, stuffy pain, throbbing and so on. 80.0% were moderate to severe, 70% lasted less than half an hour, 76.6% had chest pain, 70% had chest tightness, 63.3% had sweating, and 36.6% had nausea. After treatment with drugs or coronary angiogenesis, except for one death, headache was fully or partially relieved in 29 patients. Cardiac cephalalgia is generally located in frontotemporal region, of moderate or severe intensity, with a pulsating or throbbing sensation, abating within 30 minutes, and has a good prognosis. Accompanying chest pain, chest tightness, and sweating should be included in the diagnostic criteria.

A Cardiac cephalalgia attacks provoked by Prinzmetal angina - a case report

A 51-year-old man with no past medical history of headache or risk factors for vascular diseases was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in 2005. In 2014 SVT attacks were longer and always followed by severe headache attacks. Accompanying symptoms were dizziness, non-rotational vertigo, confusion, episodes of double vision and tinnitus; these symptoms would last one day, followed by severe tiredness for 2 days. Neurologic and cardiologic evaluation as well as extensive diagnostic test between the attacks was normal. Catheter coronarography showed no stenoses but did show spasms in distal left anterior descending artery. A remarkable effect on SVT and headaches was shown after the introducement of diltiazem. The diagnosis cardiac cephalalgia (CC) was established. As our case report is unique, we hope that our observations will help cardiologists and neurologists to better understand and treat patients with CC. CC should be distinguished from migraine, to avoid prescribing triptans and vasoconstrictors.

A Case of Exercise Induced Cardiac Cephalalgia Relieved after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

A Case of Exercise Induced Cardiac Cephalalgia Relieved after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

Cardiac cephalalgia: A deadly case report

Cardiac cephalalgia is a nosologic entity that has only been acknowledged by the turn of the century, and is, consequently, often underdiagnosed, even by experienced neurologists. Unlike most headaches, however, failing to provide a proper and timely diagnosis can have deadly consequences. Report of a case of cardiac headache attended at the emergency department and literature review. This entity was first described in 1997; no studies have yet determined its prevalence, with the literature relying on case reports. The pathophysiology remains a mystery, with three main hypothesis: spinal convergence of cardiac visceral afferent nerves with somatic afferent nerves from the head, increase of intracranial pressure from decrease in cerebral venous return originated from the reduced cardiac output, and release of inflammatory markers during cardiac ischaemia, such as bradykinin, serotonin and histamin, causing vascular changes. Distinguishing this pathology from others, especially migraine, with which it shares many traits, is of paramount importance: vasoconstrictor drugs such as triptans are absolutely contraindicated, and the outcome can be dramatic. This case illustrates the need to promptly recognize this rare entity since failure to diagnose it can have devastating consequences.

Cardiac cephalalgia: A deadly case report

Cardiac cephalalgia is a nosologic entity that has only been acknowledged by the turn of the century, and is, consequently, often underdiagnosed, even by experienced neurologists. Unlike most headaches, however, failing to provide a proper and timely diagnosis can have deadly consequences. Report of a case of cardiac headache attended at the emergency department and literature review. This entity was first described in 1997; no studies have yet determined its prevalence, with the literature relying on case reports. The pathophysiology remains a mystery, with three main hypothesis: spinal convergence of cardiac visceral afferent nerves with somatic afferent nerves from the head, increase of intracranial pressure from decrease in cerebral venous return originated from the reduced cardiac output, and release of inflammatory markers during cardiac ischaemia, such as bradykinin, serotonin and histamin, causing vascular changes. Distinguishing this pathology from others, especially migraine, with which it shares many traits, is of paramount importance: vasoconstrictor drugs such as triptans are absolutely contraindicated, and the outcome can be dramatic. This case illustrates the need to promptly recognize this rare entity since failure to diagnose it can have devastating consequences.

Cardiac cephalalgia: severe, non-exertional headache presenting as unstable angina

Cardiac cephalalgia is a migraine-like headache that occurs during episodes of myocardial ischaemia. Clinical characteristics of the headache vary widely but are often severe in intensity, worsen with reduced myocardial...

A Case of Cardiac Cephalalgia Showing Reversible Coronary Vasospasm on Coronary Angiogram

BackgroundUnder certain conditions, exertional headaches may reflect coronary ischemia.Case ReportA 44-year-old woman developed intermittent exercise-induced headaches with chest tightness over a period of 10 months. Cardiac catheterization followed by acetylcholine provocation demonstrated a right coronary artery spasm with chest tightness, headache, and ischemic effect of continuous electrocardiography changes. The patient's headache disappeared following intra-arterial nitroglycerine injection.ConclusionsA coronary angiogram with provocation study revealed variant angina and cardiac cephalalgia, as per the International Classification of Headache Disorders (code 10.6). We report herein a patient with cardiac cephalalgia that manifested as reversible coronary vasospasm following an acetylcholine provocation test.

Cardiac cephalgia

The purpose of this review was to provide a critical evaluation of medical literature on so-called “cardiac cephalgia” or “cardiac cephalalgia”. The 2004 International Classification of Headache Disorders codes cardiac cephalgia to 10.6 in the group of secondary headaches attributed to disorder of homoeostasis. This headache is hardly recognizable and is associated to an ischaemic cardiovascular event, of which it may be the only manifestation in 27% of cases. It usually occurs after exertion. Sometimes routine examinations, cardiac enzymes, ECG and even exercise stress test prove negative. In such cases, only a coronary angiogram can provide sufficient evidence for diagnosis. Cardiac cephalgia manifests itself without a specific pattern of clinical features: indeed, in this headache subtype there is a high variability of clinical manifestations between different patients and also within the same patient. It “mimics” sometimes a form of migraine either accompanied or not by autonomic symptoms, sometimes a form of tension-type headache; on other occasions, it exhibits characteristics that can hardly be interpreted as typical of primary headache. Pain location is highly variable. When the headache occurs as the only manifestation of an acute coronary event, the clues for suspicion are a) older age at onset, b) no past medical history of headache, c) presence of risk factors for vascular disorders and d) onset of headache under stress. Knowledge of cardiac cephalgia is scarce, due to its rare clinical occurrence and to the scant importance given to headache as a symptom concomitantly with an ischaemic cardiac event.

Cardiac Cephalalgia: Case Reports and Review

Diagnosis of myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndrome is difficult, especially in atypical presentation at an emergency department, and sometimes results in serious legal issues. Symptoms of atypical presentation include shortness of breath, dyspnoea on exertion, toothache, abdominal pain, back pain and throat pain. As of now, reports of a headache, especially exertional headache, as the only presentation of acute cardiac ischaemia are rare and only have case reports. We present two patients with a cardiac source of headache and analyse 32 patients with similar situations from MEDLINE search from 1966 to the present. Cardiac cephalalgia is benign in general, but potential risks for death should be considered. If the patient has increased risk of atherosclerosis with exertional headache, anginal headache should be highly suspected and further work-up should be undertaken.

The metabolic headaches

This review discusses headaches secondary to disorders of homeostasis, formerly known as "headaches associated with metabolic or systemic diseases." They include the headaches attributed to 1) hypoxia and/or hypercapnia (high altitude, diving, sleep apnea); 2) dialysis; 3) arterial hypertension; 4) hypothyroidism; 5) fasting; and 6) cardiac cephalalgia. For each headache type, we discuss the clinical features and diagnosis, as well as therapeutic strategies.

Hemicrania Continua‐Like Headache due to Nonmetastatic Lung Cancer—A Vagal Cephalalgia

A 72-year-old man presented with a 7-week history of a new onset constant severe right-sided headache associated with redness and tearing of the right eye, which resolved on indomethacin due to nonmetastatic small cell carcinoma producing a large suprahilar mass. This is the first case report of a hemicrania continua-like headache with autonomic features due to lung cancer. I propose the term "vagal cephalalgia" to include headache and/or facial pain due to nonmetastatic lung cancer and cardiac cephalalgia which result from vagal afferent stimulation.