Patent Foramen Ovale and Coronary Artery Spasm

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) may be an underlying factor in the pathogenesis of migraine, vasospastic angina, and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy . This article reviews the role that PFO may play in each of these clinical entities and discusses potential interventions. It also proposes a novel clinical syndrome wherein PFO may be the unifying link among migraine, coronary vasospasm , and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in predisposed individuals.