Background: Platelet hyperaggregability triggered by low concentrations of platelet agonist adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or epinephrine (EPI) or both, named as sticky platelet syndrome (SPS) may be responsible for the development of wide spectrum of thrombotic events in various parts of the circulation. The most common presentation of arterial occlusions are considered the cerebral arteries with clinical manifestations including transitory ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke (IS). Apart from the stroke and TIA, the other clinical presentation of the syndrom due to the changes in cerebrovascular system is the migraine headache. It is necessary to take the SPS into account in differential diagnosis of the underlying cause of unexplained headache, especially in patients younger than 40 years with positive family history of migraine and thrombosis.

Aims: The aim of this study was to provide insight into the background of the events in cerebrovascular circulation caused by platelet hyperaggregability, especially with a focus on transient changes with manifestation of the migraine.

Methods: The authors analyzed the presence of platelet hyperaggregability in patients with a history of the migraine headache and described individual types of SPS and further characteristics in these patients.

Results: In this pilot study, the authors found the increased incidence of platelet hyperaggregability induced by ADP and/or EPI in the patients with migraine. In the selected groups of individuals, they also assessed the different subtypes of SPS.

Conclusions: Platelet hyperaggregability can be a serious risk factor for the development of thrombotic events and therefore we should take it into account not only in differential diagnosis of the arterial thrombosis but also unexplained headaches especially in younger patients.

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ISTH Congress Abstracts - https://abstracts.isth.org/abstract/platelet-hyperaggregability-and-migraine-headache-a-single-centre-experience/