Atenolol prophylaxis in migraine secondary to an arteriovenous malformation

Abstract

The migrainous syndrome secondary to a parieto-occipital arteriovenous malformation usually presents as unilateral headache with visual aura of progressive severity. We report successful prevention by atenolol of migraine with visual aura associated with an occipital vascular malformation. Effectively preventing migraine delayed specific therapeutic measures, thereby exposing the patient to the risk of an intracranial hemorrhage. The authors consider that prophylactic therapy should not be started whenever such an association is suspected.