Triptans safe for heart of migraine patients, finds study

USA: Results from a recent study provide reassurance about triptans being cardiovascular safe for use in people with migraine headaches. According to the study published in the Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, no association was found between triptans exposure and an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Some case reports have raise concerns on the association between management of migraine headaches with triptans and cardiovascular events. This study by Serena Ghanshani, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA, and colleagues aimed to determine the strength of association between treatment with triptans and acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and death. The researchers hypothesized that triptan exposure is not associated with increased cardiovascular events.

For the purpose, the researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study within an integrated healthcare delivery system in Southern California. 189,684 patients age ≥18 years had a diagnosis of migraine between January 2009 to December 2018. 130,656 were exposed to triptans. Patients treated with triptans were matched 1:1 to those not exposed to triptans by using a propensity score.