ABSTRACT
Objective
Our study aims to explore the changes of cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) in migraineurs with right-to-left shunts (RLS), and further evaluate the association between CVR and the occurrence of the white matter hyperintensities (WMHs).
Methods
RLS was diagnosed based on a contrast enhancement transcranial Doppler (c-TCD) examination. The breath holding index (BHI), which represents CVR, was measured from the middle cerebral artery (MCA) using a TCD with the breath-holding method. WMHs was defined as clearly hyperintense areas in 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All migraineurs underwent a standardized questionnaire for family and personal history and detailed migraine features.
Results
Three hundred and ninety-seven migraineurs and 100 controls were included in our study. The BHI was significantly lower in migraineurs than controls (0.527 ± 0.709 vs. 0.674 ± 0.489, P = 0.016). Moreover, migraineurs with RLS had lower BHI than those without RLS (0.504 ± 0.671 vs. 0.674 ± 0.721, p = 0.024). Migraineurs with WMHs had lower BHI than those without (0.47 ± 0.71 vs. 0.75 ± 0.49, p = 0.035). The reduced BHI was an independent influencing factor for WMHs in our study (OR = 0.338; 95% CI = 0.142–0.806, p = 0.014).
Conclusion
Our results indicated that BHI was reduced in migraineurs, and the reduced BHI was associated with RLS. Moreover, the reduced CVR in migraineurs with RLS might be related to the occurrence of WMHs.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank all the participating patients.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Data availability statement
The data supporting the results of this study are all collected by the author himself.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Qian Qian Xie
Xie Qianqian, master student, resident physician, research direction: migraine, cerebrovascular disease
Xiaoxiang Chen
Xiaoxiang Chen, resident physician, research direction: cerebrovascular disease
Yuxuan Tian
Yuxuan Tian, master student, resident physician, research direction: migraine, cerebrovascular disease
Le Fang
Le Fang, master student, resident physician, research direction: migraine, cerebrovascular disease
Hongqin Zhao
Hongqin Zhao, Doctor, chief physician, research direction: migraine, cerebrovascular disease, sleep disorder