Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Share by Email
Print
The frequency of vascular diseases, including arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, and stroke have been associated with migraine. The presence of these vascular diseases in patients with migraine can influence treatment options. Treatments that target migraine severity and frequency and also improve vascular comorbidity are considered.
A review published in Headache discusses the potential treatment options for acute migraine attacks and for migraine prevention in patients with vascular disease, and elaborates on the association between treatment with triptans and the risk for vascular disease. 1
Triptans are the most commonly prescribed treatments for acute migraine attacks; however, these drugs are contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and after a stroke or transient ischemic attack.1
The Relationship Between Migraine and Arterial Hypertension
Multiple studies have addressed the relationship between migraine and hypertension, with data suggesting a positive association between the 2 entities; hypertension may lead to a higher frequency and severity of migraine attacks. 2,3
Several antihypertensive medications may be useful in migraine prophylaxis, particularly, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers.1,2
While acetylsalicylic acid, acetaminophen, and NSAIDs may be used to treat migraine in patients with arterial hypertension, triptans should not be used in those with uncontrolled hypertension, though the definition of “uncontrolled” in literature has been vague.1
A meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of preventive pharmacologic treatments for migraine in adults reported that various beta-blockers, including propranolol, metoporlol, atenolol, and nadolol, as well as angiotensin-converting enzyme or ACE inhibitors captopril and lisinopril, and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) candesartan, were superior to placebo in reducing monthly migraine frequency by 50% or more.4
In a review of randomized trials, Tullo and colleagues evaluated the efficacy of triptans in the management of acute migraine in patients with a history of arterial hypertension. During treatment with triptans, there was no increase in blood pressure or heart rate in patients with hypertension and the tolerability was similar in those with and without hypertension. However, patients with hypertension tended to be less responsive to triptans than patients with normotension.5
In light of available data and in accordance with FDA approval, triptans should not be used for acute migraine attacks in patients with uncontrolled hypertension, specifically during a hypertensive crisis. With regard to migraine prophylaxis, beta-blockers and angiotensin-inhibiting drugs may be considered in the prevention of migraine attacks and control blood pressure. 1,4
Migraine With and Without Aura and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk
The risk for CVD and myocardial infarction (MI) is increased in patients with migraine, with or without aura and independent of drug therapy.1
A meta-analysis of 16 observational cohort studies with more than 1.1 million individuals reported that migraine was associated with a higher risk for major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, mainly secondary to a higher risk for long-term stroke and MI. Compared with patients without aura, those with aura had worse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes, including stroke and MI.6
Triptans are contraindicated in patients with ischemic heart disease because of concerns about vasospasm of coronary vessels that could lead to myocardial ischemia. However, it is now believed these drugs activate serotonin (5-HT) 1D receptors.1
According to the FDA approval document for sumatriptan, the contraindications for use include ischemic cardiac diseases, ischemic CAD (angina pectoris, history of myocardial infarction, or documented silent ischemia), or coronary artery vasospasm, including Prinzemetal’s angina. However, data published after triptans approval showed that the risk for acute coronary syndrome in the treatment of acute migraine was extremely low.1
In patients with known angina pectoris or MI, acetylsalicylic acid may be used for acute migraine. Additional treatment options for these patients can include novel medications for migraine that do not exhibit vasoconstriction of the cerebral, coronary, and peripheral arteries, including calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists and 5-HT1F agonists. However, there are no specific studies to determine the safety of these medications in patients with active CAD.1
While NSAIDs may be effective for acute migraine, treatment with vs without these medications are associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. Data analysis by drug indicated that NSAIDs rofecoxib (relative risk, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.31-1.47), followed by diclofenac (relative risk, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.26-1.42) and etoricoxib (relative risk, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.12-1.43) were associated with the highest cardiovascular risk.7
In the absence of contraindications, beta-blockers may be the most suitable treatment for migraine prophylaxis in patients with CAD, as these medications are considered part of the standard care following an acute coronary syndrome. Other treatment options for migraine prophylaxis may include topiramate, valproic acid, and onabotuliniumtoxin A. Researchers believe that because of the important role of CGRP-mediated dilation of collateral vessels in patients with coronary heart disease, antibodies against the molecule or its receptor should not be used as treatment in these patients.1
Migraine Treatment and Risk for Stroke
Patients with migraine were found have 2 times increased risk for stroke, especially for patients who have migraine with aura.1 Mahmoud and colleagues reported migraine was associated with a 41% increased risk for stroke (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.25-1.61), but this increased risk was limited to patients who had migraine with aura (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.30-1.87), but not in those without aura.6 Neurophysiologic studies have linked migraine aura to cortical spreading depression, which may predispose the brain to cerebral hypoperfusion and arterial ischemia.8
The risk for stroke is further increased when adding estrogen-containing contraceptives or cigarette smoking.1
Because triptans are contraindicated in patients with cerebrovascular syndrome, including stroke and transient ischemic attack, the treatment of migraine attacks in these cases may include acetylsalicylic acid, NSAIDs, lasmiditan or CGRP antagonists.1
Researchers believe that because vasoconstriction does not play a prominent role in most cases of ischemic stroke (only one-quarter are caused by large vessel disease) and triptans are associated with constriction of the extracranial but not intracranial arteries, the contraindication for triptans use in these patients is not yet justified.1
However, subarachnoid hemorrhage-related vasospasm and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome are 2 forms of cerebral ischemia in which vasoconstrictive mechanisms play a vital role, and among these patients, triptans are clearly contraindicated.1
Beta-blockers may be used to prevent migraine attacks in patients with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack. Onabotuliniumtoxin A and higher doses of acetylsalicylic acid (300 or 325 mg) may also be effective in migraine prophylaxis.
Due to the potential restricted dilatation of collateral vessels, which may be very important in the context of cerebral ischemia, researchers believe that CGRP antagonists not be used in patients at high risk for cerebral ischemia or recurrent cerebral ischemia.1
The Future of Migraine Management
The Headache review suggests that because vasoconstrictive mechanisms do not play a role in the pathophysiology of many vascular diseases, the use of triptans may not be absolutely contraindicated in patients with migraine with a history of ischemic stroke or CAD. However, in light of the potential impact on collateral vessel, and reduction of perfusion during migraine aura, triptans should not be given during existing aura symptoms. Because CGRP and lasmiditan have no vasoconstrictive properties, these drugs may be used in patients with contraindications to triptans.
References
1. Diener H-C. The risks or lack thereof of migraine treatments in vascular disease. Headache. 2020;60(3):649-653. doi:10.1111/head.13749
2. Wang YF, Wang SJ. Hypertension and migraine: time to revisit the evidence. Curr Pain Headache Rep. Jul 16, 2021;25(9):58. doi:10.1007/s11916-021-00976-x
3. Arca KN, Halker Singh RB. The hypertensive headache: a review. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2019;23(5):30. doi:10.1007/s11916-019-0767-z
4. Shamliyan TA, Choi JY, Ramakrishnan R. Preventive pharmacologic treatments for episodic migraine in adults. J Gen Intern Med. 2013;28(9):1225-37. doi:10.1007/s11606-013-2433-1
5. Tullo V, Bussone G, Omboni S, et al. Efficacy of frovatriptan and other triptans in the treatment of acute migraine of hypertensive and normotensive subjects: a review of randomized studies. Neurol Sci. 2013;34(Suppl 1):87-91. doi:10.1007/s10072-013-1367-z
6. Mahmoud AN, Mentias A, Elgendy AY, et al. Migraine and the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events: a meta-analysis of 16 cohort studies including 1 152 407 subjects. BMJ Open. 2018;8(3):e020498. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020498
7. Martín Arias LH, Martín González A, Sanz Fadrique R, Vazquez ES. Cardiovascular risk of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and classical and selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors: a meta-analysis of observational studies. J Clin Pharmacol. 2019;59(1):55-73. doi:10.1002/jcph.1302
8. Pietrobon D, Moskowitz MA. Pathophysiology of migraine. Annu Rev Physiol. 2013;75:365-391. doi:10.1146/annurev-physiol-030212-183717
