Migrainous stroke and the antiphospholipid antibodies

Eur Neurol. 1994;34(6):316-9. doi: 10.1159/000117069.

Abstract

The pathogenesis of migrainous stroke is controversial. The possibility that a number of migraine-related strokes is associated with the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, a condition predisposing to coagulopathy, has been suggested. We investigated the prevalence of lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies in patients with migrainous stroke. In 6 out of 16 patients with migrainous cerebral infarction, the presence of antiphospholipids antibodies was detected. In such patients, the presence of other risk factors for stroke was significantly lower (chi 2 = 5.6; p = 0.01) with respect to patients with negative results for antiphospholipid antibodies. These results suggest that antiphospholipid antibodies associated with migraine may be an important marker for ischemic stroke.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / analysis
  • Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / analysis*
  • Cerebral Infarction / immunology
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor / analysis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Migraine Disorders / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Anticardiolipin
  • Antibodies, Antiphospholipid
  • Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor