Left atrial dysfunction in patients with patent foramen ovale and atrial septal aneurysm scheduled for transcatheter closure may play a role in aura genesis.

Background: It has been suggested that a left atrial (LA) dysfunction induced by large shunt and large atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) may act as a concurrent mechanism of arterial embolism in patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) and prior stroke. We aimed to evaluate the potential contribution of this mechanism as trigger of migraine in patients with PFO.

Methods: From January 2007 to September 2009, we prospectively enrolled subjects with migraine who underwent percutaneous PFO closure.