Migraine and haemostasis

Migraine is a risk factor for cerebral infarction in young women. The natur e of the connection between these diseases remains however essentially unkn own. Abnormalities of haemostasis leading to an increased thrombotic risk w ould provide a logical link. Platelets, antiphospholipid antibodies and mor e recently congenital thrombophilia have thus successively been implicated. The different studies concerning these topics have been reviewed. Because of the conflicting results obtained and because of the numerous methodologi cal shortcomings of many of these studies, no definite conclusion can be re ached. It is possible that these 3 factors play a role in the ischemic risk of migraine, but it is as likely or even more likely that other factors (i nside or outside the hemostatic system) play a more important role. Further studies are thus deeply needed.