Tietjen, Gretchen E.

Abstract Objective To investigate the ability of artificial intelligence‐enabled electrocardiogram (AI‐ECG) atrial fibrillation (AF) prediction model output and delta age, defined as AI‐estimated age minus chronological age, to predict adverse vascular outcomes in patients with migraine. Background Migraine, especially migraine with aura, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Using normal sinus rhythm ECG, our institution has developed AI‐ECG models that predict the probability of AF and estimate patients' age, and from that, delta age (estimated age minus actual age) has been shown to reflect cardiovascular health and physiologic aging. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study that included adult patients with migraine who had at least one digital, standard 12‐lead ECG from 2000 to 2020 at any Mayo Clinic site. The first normal sinus rhythm ECG was defined as the index ECG, and those with adverse vascular events or AF prior to, or within 3 days after, index ECG were excluded. AI‐ECG AF prediction model output and delta age were obtained from the index ECG. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of adverse vascular events that included acute myocardial infarction, acute ischemic stroke, venous thromboembolism, and death. New‐onset AF was also recorded as a secondary outcome. Results A total of 29,928 patients were included. The mean age was 44.3 ± 14.5 years, and the median follow‐up time was 54 months. During the study period, 4662 (15.6%) patients had adverse vascular events, and 1384 (4.6%) patients developed new‐onset AF. A higher AF prediction model output was associated with a higher risk of adverse vascular outcomes (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]:1.15 [95% confidence interval: 1.12 to 1.18] for every 10% increase in prediction model output), as was a larger delta age (aHR:1.16 [1.12 to 1.21] for every 10‐year increase in delta age). Moreover, AI‐ECG AF prediction model outputs of ≥1% (aHR: 1.45 [1.36 to 1.54]) and delta age ≥−1 years (aHR: 1.09 [1.02 to 1.16]) were found to be the optimal cutoffs to dichotomize patients into high‐risk and low‐risk groups for adverse vascular events. Higher AI‐ECG AF prediction model output at baseline also predicted a higher likelihood of having new‐onset AF during the study period (aHR: 1.31 [1.26 to 1.37]), and the development of new‐onset AF was associated with a higher risk of adverse vascular events (aHR: 2.43 [2.17 to 2.73]). Conclusions For patients with migraine, a higher AI‐ECG AF prediction model output and delta age are predictive of adverse vascular outcomes. A higher AF prediction model output is also predictive of future AF development. Furthermore, we identified the cutoffs for both AI‐ECG models that can distinguish patients between high‐ and low‐risk groups. Our results showed that AI‐ECG models could inform clinical practice and identify patients with migraine at risk for future adverse vascular events.

Background Many guidelines list migraine with aura (MwA) as a contraindication to estrogen-containing combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) due to vascular risks. However, current evidence is based on small sample studies with potential influence by confounding factors. Additionally, few studies have examined the vascular risk associated with modern CHCs with lower dose estrogen, particularly in relation to aura status. The present study aims to investigate the vascular risk of modern CHCs in women with migraine with and without aura. Methods We used a de-identified electronic medical record database with 120 million patients across multiple health systems in the United States of America. We included female patients aged 18–45 years who received a migraine diagnosis code, had at least three office visits within three years, and were prescribed at least one migraine-specific medication within 6 months following the first outpatient visit. All data after 2010 were included. Patients with prior cardiovascular events were excluded. Our composite endpoint consisted of acute ischemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism and intravenous thrombolytic administration. We stratified our analysis according to CHC exposure and aura status and compared the incidence of the endpoint with high-dimensional propensity score-matching between CHC users and non-users in (i) the overall cohort, (ii) MwA and (iii) migraine without aura (MwoA); between MwA and MwoA in (iv) patients prescribed CHCs; and in (v) those without CHC prescriptions. Results We included 5535 patients who received CHC prescriptions and 21,520 who did not. 114 (2.06%) of CHC users and 547 (2.54%) of CHC non-users had at least one vascular event. With propensity score-matched comparison, the composite endpoint did not significantly differ between CHC and non-CHC in the overall migraine group, those with MwA and the MwoA group. In those prescribed CHC, MwA and MwoA did not differ in all the outcomes. For CHC non-users, MwA was associated with a higher incidence of acute ischemic stroke (hazard ratio = 2.45; 95% confidence interval = 1.58–3.78; p < 0.001; n = 6201 in each group) and the composite endpoint (hazard ratio = 1.34; 95% confidence interval = 1.08–1.67; p = 0.008). Conclusions Our real-world study showed that exposure to modern CHC was not associated with a significant increase in vascular risk in women aged 18–45 years with migraine, MwA or MwoA who have no prior cardiovascular events. However, in those who never received CHC, MwA was associated with higher vascular risks compared to MwoA. While limitations exist using large scale electronic medical record databases for analysis, our results suggest that carefully designed prospective studies should be conducted to reassess the vascular risk associated with CHC use in women with migraine, especially MwA.

Abstract Objective The objective was to determine if migraine is independently associated with a greater odds of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) in a case–control study. Background There is growing evidence that migraine is associated with SCAD, a non‐atherosclerotic, non‐traumatic cause of myocardial infarction. However, few studies have examined the independent association between migraine and SCAD. Methods A total of 1295 SCAD cases and 1291 (1:1) age, sex, and race/ethnicity matched controls presenting to the Boston, Massachusetts area, using the International Classification of Diseases ninth revision and 10th revision codes from our Research Patient Data Registry, were identified between the years 1990 and 2022. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. For mediation, total effects, natural direct, and indirect effects were estimated using causal inference. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) was used to determine predictive power. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Results Adjusting for age, sex, and race/ethnicity, the data demonstrated an almost two‐fold increased odds of SCAD in patients with migraine (aOR 1.96, 95% CI 1.48–2.6; p < 0.001). There was no effect of aura phenotype on this association. Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) was found only in patients with SCAD ( n = 133). After accounting for vascular risk factors, there was no longer an independent association between migraine and SCAD (aOR 0.90, 95% CI 0.63–1.29; p = 0.568). Using a model that adjusted for only demographic variables produced a ROC curve with the lowest predictive power (AUC 0.55) for SCAD, while the vascular risk factor‐adjusted model had a higher predictive power (AUC 0.83). Hypertension appeared to mediate some of the effect of migraine on SCAD (proportion of effect mediated 0.70). FMD was highly associated with an increased risk of SCAD. There remained no independent association between SCAD and migraine when FMD was included in the model. Conclusions The migraine–SCAD association can be partially attributed to the connection between migraine and vascular comorbidities including hypertension and FMD.

Background Headache in patients with moyamoya disease is an under-addressed topic in the medical literature. Delay in the diagnosis of moyamoya disease or inappropriate treatment of headache could lead to devastating cerebrovascular outcome. With the evolving understanding of moyamoya disease, migraine pathophysiology, and various migraine-specific medications that have become available, it is crucial to provide an updated overview on this topic. Methods We searched PubMed for keywords including moyamoya disease, moyamoya syndrome, headache in moyamoya, surgical revascularization, surgical bypass, migraine and moyamoya, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). We summarized the literature and provide a comprehensive review of the headache presentation, possible mechanisms, the impact of various surgical revascularizations on headache in patients with moyamoya disease, and the medical management of headache incorporating novel migraine-specific treatments. Results and conclusion: The most common headache phenotype is migraine; tension-type headache, hemiplegic migraine, and cluster headache have also been reported. Most patients experience improvement of headache after surgical revascularization, though some patients report worsening, or new-onset headache after surgery. Given the complexity of moyamoya disease, careful consideration of different types of medical therapy for headache is necessary to improve the quality of life while not increasing the risk of adverse cerebrovascular events. More prospective studies are warranted to better understand and manage headache in patients with moyamoya disease.

Background and Purpose— Incomplete platelet inhibition by aspirin (aspirin resistance) may be a reason for stroke recurrence in some patients. 11-Dehydrothromboxane B2 (11-DTB2) is a stable thromboxane A2 metabolite that reflects in vivo platelet activation. This pilot study was intended to evaluate the reproducibility of urinary 11-DTB2 over time and to look for evidence of aspirin resistance. Methods— All subjects were screened for the African American Antiplatelet Stroke Prevention Study (AAASPS) 7 to 90 days after noncardioembolic cerebral infarction. Of 83 subjects with at least 1 urine sample, 52 were enrolled in AAASPS (randomized to blinded treatment with aspirin 650 mg/d or ticlopidine 500 mg/d), and 31 were enrolled in an open-label antiplatelet therapy cohort. Subjects were followed up for 2 years, with 11-DTB2 measurements scheduled at baseline and 6, 12, and 24 months. Vascular events were cerebral infarction, myocardial infarction, or vascular death. Results— Despite considerable individual up or down fluctuations, the median 11-DTB2 change did not significantly differ from zero in any of the subgroups. However, in 6 subjects with a 4-fold decrease in aspirin dose from 1300 to 325 or 81 mg/d, the 11-DTB2 level increased from 611 to 1881 pg/mg creatinine ( P =0.06). Vascular events occurred in 7 of 61 aspirin-treated subjects, and 11-DTB2 levels did not correlate with the events. Conclusions— Fluctuations in urinary 11-DTB2 after cerebral infarction in blacks do not correlate with changes in aspirin doses, except perhaps when the dose changes by a factor of 4 or more. A larger study is needed to look further for aspirin resistance.

Background and Purpose — The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between daily aspirin use and urinary excretion of a stable thromboxane metabolite, 11-dehydrothromboxane B 2 (11-DTB2), in African American stroke patients. Methods — Subjects were a subgroup of those screened for the African American Antiplatelet Stroke Prevention Study. Subjects were within 4 months of noncardioembolic ischemic stroke and were not being treated with anticoagulants. Antithrombotic therapy at the time of urine collection varied according to the practice patterns of various attending physicians who treated the patients during their acute strokes. 11-DTB2 was measured by enzyme immunoassay in random urine samples 1 to 4 months after the stroke. Results — Eighty-seven of 92 patients enrolled were able to give a urine sample at the time of enrollment. There were 51 men and 36 women aged 36 to 87 (mean 62) years. On the basis of antithrombotic treatment before the sample collection, we divided patients into 4 groups: (1) 16 patients treated with no aspirin (no antithrombotic drugs [n=4] or ticlopidine [n=12]), (2) 21 patients treated with 81 to 325 mg aspirin per day (81 mg/d [n=2], 325 mg/d [n=19]), (3) 20 patients treated with 650 mg aspirin per day, and (4) 30 patients treated with 975 to 1300 mg aspirin per day (975 mg/d [n=2] and 1300 mg/d [n=28]). In patients taking daily aspirin at any dose, the median urinary 11-DTB2 was 783 pg/mg creatinine compared with 1386 pg/mg creatinine in patients not taking daily aspirin ( P =0.01 by Wilcoxon rank sum test). In multivariate regression analysis, aspirin use remained significantly associated with lower urinary 11-DTB2 ( P =0.008). There was no dose-response effect between the 3 aspirin dose groups and urinary 11-DTB2 ( P =0.70). Conclusions — In African American stroke patients, aspirin use is associated with significantly lower urinary 11-DTB2 independent of other vascular factors, and there does not appear to be a dose-response effect for aspirin doses of 325 to 1300 mg daily. The clinical significance of these finding remains to be determined.