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NCT Number: NCT07170176

Effects of PFO Closure on Glymphatic Function and Clinical Symptoms in Patients With Migraine

Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is a common congenital heart defect. Recent studies have suggested a potential association between PFO and migraines, particularly migraine with aura. It is hypothesized that PFO may allow microemboli or vasoactive substances from venous blood to bypass pulmonary metabolism and enter the arterial system directly, potentially triggering migraines. Although PFO closure has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks, its long-term efficacy and underlying mechanisms require further investigation.

This study aims to explore the characteristics of glymphatic system function in PFO patients and its relationship with migraine symptoms, as well as the impact of PFO closure on glymphatic function and its role in alleviating migraine symptoms. A case-control and self-controlled before-after study design is adopted. Two groups of participants are enrolled: a case group consisting of PFO patients with significant right-to-left shunt and migraine, and a control group comprising PFO patients with significant shunt but without migraine. According to clinical guidelines and after obtaining informed consent, eligible patients in the case group undergo percutaneous PFO closure.

By comparing migraine symptoms and glymphatic function indicators both before and after the procedure between the two groups, the interventional effect of PFO closure and its potential mechanism will be investigated. The primary endpoint is the improvement in migraine symptoms, while the secondary endpoints include glymphatic function metrics. The findings of this study will provide new theoretical insights and clinical guidance for the management of PFO-related migraines.

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Key information

Conditions

Migraine Disorders Brain Diseases Cardiovascular Abnormalities Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Congenital Abnormalities Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Foramen Ovale, Patent Headache Disorders Headache Disorders, Primary Heart Defects, Congenital Heart Diseases Heart Septal Defects Heart Septal Defects, Atrial Nervous System Diseases Patent Foramen Ovale Right-to-Left Shunt, Cardiac

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Luoyang Central Hospital, Luoyang, Henan, China

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Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults aged 18 to 60 years.
  • Diagnosed with patent foramen ovale (PFO) with significant right-to-left shunt.
  • For the case group: Diagnosis of migraine (with or without aura) according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3).
  • For the control group: No history of migraine.
  • Willing and able to provide written informed consent.
  • Education level of primary school or higher.

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with a history of PFO closure or other migraine-related surgical treatments;
  • Patients with other severe cardiac or neurological diseases, mental disorders, or psychological conditions;
  • Patients with contraindications to closure surgery or MRI scans (e.g., severe infection, coagulation dysfunction, cardiac pacemakers, aneurysm clips, metallic foreign bodies in the eye, non-removable metal dentures, etc.);
  • Patients unable to complete migraine symptom assessments or imaging examinations due to other reasons.

Treatment and study plan

Percutaneous Patent Foramen Ovale Closure

Device

Percutaneous transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a minimally invasive procedure. Under local anesthesia, a closure device is delivered via a catheter through the femoral vein to the heart to seal the PFO tunnel. The procedure is performed under fluoroscopic and echocardiographic guidance. This intervention aims to eliminate right-to-left shunt, which is hypothesized to improve migraine symptoms and glymphatic function.

Other names: PFO Closure

No intervention

Other

This arm does not receive the PFO closure procedure. Patients in this control group are observed under their standard care regimen without any study-specific intervention.

Primary outcomes

  1. Monthly Migraine Days (MMD)

    Time frame: For the intervention arm, this is 6 months post-procedure. For the control arm, this is 6 months post-enrollment.

    The number of days with migraine headache per month, as recorded by participants in a daily headache diary. The change in MMD from baseline to 6-month follow-up will be calculated. A decrease in MMD indicates improvement.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Migraine Pain Intensity (VAS Score)

    Time frame: The pain intensity of migraine attacks as measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable). The change in VAS score from baseline to the 6-month timepoint will be calculated. A negative change indicates

    The change in pain intensity of migraine attacks as measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable). A negative change indicates improvement.

  2. DTI-ALPS Index

    Time frame: For the intervention arm, this is 6 months post-procedure. For the control arm, this is 6 months post-enrollment.

    The Diffusion Tensor Imaging-Alignment along the Perivascular Space (DTI-ALPS) index is a non-invasive MRI biomarker used to assess glymphatic system function. It is calculated by obtaining diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) sequences on a 3.0T MRI scanner and measuring the diffusion coefficients along the x, y, and z axes in specific regions of interest (ROIs) near the lateral ventricles. The change in the DTI-ALPS index from baseline to the 6-month timepoint will be calculated. A positive change suggests improved glymphatic activity.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Guoliang Li

CONTACT

[email protected]

Yang Yan

CONTACT

[email protected]

0086-029-85323865

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

First Affiliated Hospital Xi'an Jiaotong University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Impact of Percutaneous Patent Foramen Ovale Closure on Glymphatic Function and Clinical Symptoms in Patients With Migraine

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Sep 12, 2025
Registry last updated
Jan 16, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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