PFO Device Closure Successfully Cures Chronic Migraine in Eastern UP First

Prayagraj: The medical landscape of Eastern Uttar Pradesh has recorded a significant breakthrough with the successful use of Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) device closure to treat chronic migraine. A 50-year-old female patient, who had endured 15 years of severe, debilitating migraines without relief from continuous medication, was successfully treated in what is being hailed as the first such procedure in the region.

The complex intervention involved closing a 5mm PFO—a small hole in the heart—using a specialized device. The procedure was successfully carried out by an expert team from the Cardiology Department, including Dr. Vaibhav Srivastava, Dr. Vimal Nishad, and Dr. Rishika Patel, with technical support from cardiac technicians Ramniwas and Jaiprakash.

Explaining the achievement, Dr. Vaibhav Srivastava noted that while PFO is present in about one in four individuals, its link to migraine is rare. He explained that in selected cases, when blood from the heart’s right side crosses over to the left through this small opening, it can trigger intractable migraines. For these specific patients, device closure proves to be a highly effective treatment option.

Dr. Vimal Nishad highlighted the additional benefit of the procedure, noting that some high-risk PFO cases also carry a potential risk of stroke, making timely diagnosis and treatment essential.

Department Head, Dr. Piyush Saxena, praised the innovative method, calling it a new and promising line of treatment for patients whose chronic migraine has been resistant to long-term medication. College Principal Dr. V.K. Pandey stated that this success marks a new chapter in modern medicine for Eastern UP, paving the way for new hope for patients suffering from severe migraines and PFO-related conditions in the future.

(Report by Zainul Abdin)