Vietnamese Patient Receives Successful Treatment for Migraines Caused by Unclosed Heart Hole at Beijing Fuwai Hospital
"I never expected to find out that my migraine was related to a heart problem, but the doctor said, ‘Your heart has a significant hole, and it’s causing your headaches. You can’t leave without treatment!’" recalls 31-year-old Mr. Nguyen from Vietnam, still in disbelief about the diagnosis.
For over a year, Mr. Nguyen had been suffering from intermittent headaches, which worsened with nausea and vomiting, severely affecting his daily life. He sought treatment at a local hospital in Vietnam, but an echocardiogram showed no abnormalities, and the cause of his headaches remained unclear.
Looking for further treatment, Mr. Nguyen was referred to Beijing Fuwai Hospital, where Dr. Han Yu and his team performed a thorough examination. It was there that he was diagnosed with a central atrial septal defect (PFO), a condition where a hole in the heart's septum does not close after birth, causing abnormal blood flow between the chambers.
“PFO and its connection to migraines has been a key focus in clinical research,” explained Dr. Han Yu. “The foramen ovale is a natural opening in the heart that most people close after birth. However, in some individuals, this opening remains unclosed, which has been found to be linked to migraines in certain cases. However, not all PFOs cause headaches, and research is ongoing to better understand the relationship.”
Dr. Han’s team, along with Professor Pan Xiangbin from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, initiated a nationwide clinical study comparing the effectiveness of metal occluders and biodegradable occluders in treating PFOs causing migraines. The study offered free treatment to qualifying patients and aimed to provide evidence-based conclusions to guide clinical practice. Mr. Nguyen was one of the beneficiaries of this study.
The procedure was successfully performed with precise guidance from ultrasound, with no need for an incision or X-rays. Dr. Han and his team used a catheter-based technique to deliver the biodegradable occluder directly to the heart’s defect. Postoperative ultrasound showed excellent closure of the foramen ovale, and Mr. Nguyen's headache symptoms significantly improved. He recovered quickly and was soon ready for discharge.
"The application of the biodegradable occluder technology marks a significant development in cardiovascular minimally invasive treatment, focusing on precision, safety, and the absence of long-term foreign objects," said Dr. Han Yu. “For patients with PFO and migraines, this technique not only corrects the heart defect but also reduces the risks of future complications, allowing patients to be free of the potential concerns about leaving metal objects inside their bodies."
Mr. Nguyen’s successful treatment is not only a practical result of the national multi-center clinical study but also a testament to the technical expertise of Beijing Fuwai Hospital in the field of structural heart disease. With further research and the spread of this technology, more patients with PFOs causing migraines will benefit from personalized and precise treatment, finally freeing them from their suffering.
Unlike traditional nickel-titanium metal occluders, the biodegradable occluder used for Mr. Nguyen has significant advantages. Over the course of two years, it will gradually break down into carbon dioxide and water, leaving no foreign material in the body. “Six months after implantation, the heart’s inner lining naturally grows and wraps around the occluder, permanently closing the foramen ovale. By then, the occluder's mission is complete,” Dr. Han explained. "As it degrades, if the patient ever requires heart surgery, the occluder will not obstruct the procedure, greatly reducing the risk."