Effect of Catheter Ablation and Periprocedural Anticoagulation Regimen on the Clinical Course of Migraine in Atrial Fibrillation Patients With or Without Pre-Existent Migraine: Results From a Prospective Study

BACKGROUND—We examined the influence of catheter ablation and periprocedural anticoagulation regimen on trajectory of migraine in atrial fibrillation patients with or without migraine history. METHODS AND RESULTS—Forty patients with (group 164±8 years; men 78%) and 85 (group 261±10 years; men 73%) without migraine history undergoing atrial fibrillation-ablation were enrolled. Migraine status and quality of life were evaluated using standardized questionnaires. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging of brain was performed for all at pre and 24 hours post procedure. Catheter ablation was performed with (88, 70%) or without (37, 30%) continuous warfarin treatment. Fifty-four patients (11 and 43 from groups 1 and 2, respectively) had subtherapeutic international normalized ratio on procedure day. At 17±5 months follow-up, from group 1, 25 (63%) reported no migraine, 10 (25%) had