An analysis of factors associated with ectopic pregnancy following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

Five ectopic pregnancies occurred in 75 in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) pregnancies (6.7%) in Ogikubo Hospital IVF program between 1985 and 1989. The indication for IVF in 70 pregnancies was a tubal factor. Thirty cases were among 70 pregnancies with hydrosalpinx, and 40 cases were with other tubal conditions. All of the five cases had tubal disease. Four of them had hydrosalpingos. The percentage of ectopic pregnancies for the 30 pregnancies with hydrosalpinx was 13.3%, while for 40 pregnancies with other tubal conditions it was 2.5%. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups. No correlation was found in other parameters including superovulatory methods, oocyte recovery procedure, number of embryos transferred, embryo transfer procedure, and endocrine changes after embryo transfer. In this study, we were unable to identify a difference between ectopic pregnancy and intra-uterine gestation in IVF-ET. However, further study is required to clarify whether hydrosalpinx increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy in IVF-ET.     

Simultaneous bilateral tubal pregnancies after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer: report of a case.

Ectopic pregnancies continue to be a major complication of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). A case of bilateral simultaneous tubal pregnancy after IVF-ET is described. The patient underwent ovum pick-up (OPU) through a laparotomy with concomitant pelvic surgery. Embryo transfer (ET) was performed two days after OPU; this resulted in bilateral tubal pregnancies, diagnosed and treated one month apart. There are several possible causal mechanisms for the increased rate of ectopic pregnancies following IVF-ET. It is important to recognize that care in the transfer technique, with respect to the catheter position and limiting the volume of transfer medium to 20 microL, and an awareness of previous occlusion of the tubal ostia, or of a salpingectomy before IVF-ET, can help to minimize this complication rate. Two important points are the possibility of a simultaneous bilateral tubal pregnancy after IVF-ET, and the necessity of carefully examining both adnexa at the time of surgery for an ectopic pregnancy. Early and accurate diagnosis of a simultaneous bilateral ectopic pregnancy can prevent the necessity of a second operation and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.     

体外受精 - 胚胎移植后异位妊娠的危险因素、诊断及治疗

目的　探讨体外受精 -胚胎移植 (IVF-ET)后异位妊娠 (EP)的危险因素、诊断及治疗方法。方法　对我院 1992年 10月～ 2 0 0 2年 6月接受体外受精-胚胎移植治疗 (包括单精子胞浆内注射 ,ICSI)后 82 1例临床妊娠中 38例异位妊娠进行回顾性分析。结果　IVF -ET后异位妊娠的发生率 4 6 % ,多胚胎不同部位妊娠(HP)的发生率 0 6 %。异位妊娠组取卵数明显多于对照组。单因素分析发现异位妊娠史、盆腔炎性疾病 (PID)史是IVF-ET后异位妊娠的危险因素。结论　盆腔炎性疾病史、异位妊娠史是IVF -ET后异位妊娠的高危因素。胚胎移植后妇女激素水平可能与异位妊娠的发生相关 ,但需进一步的研究证实。早期诊断和微创性治疗 ,减少异位妊娠的并发症和死亡率     

体外受精-胚胎移植后双次血清β-HCG对妊娠结局的预测价值

目的:探讨体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF/ICSI-ET)后14天及18天双次血清β-人绒毛膜促性腺激素(β-HCG)预测妊娠结局的意义。方法:回顾分析2006年1月至2007年5月在我中心行新鲜周期IVF/ICSI-ET助孕后有14天及18天血清β-HCG水平的1154个周期,并追踪妊娠结局。结果:血清β-HCG水平与妊娠结局相关。移植后14天、18天继续妊娠组血清β-HCG值均高于不良妊娠组(P<0.05);而两组的上升幅度无显著性差异(P>0.05)。多胎组血清β-HCG值高于单胎组(P<0.05);单胎组血清β-HCG值高于流产组(P<0.05);流产组和异位妊娠组的血清β-HCG值均高于生化妊娠组(P<0.05);而流产组血清β-HCG值与异位妊娠组无显著性差异(P>0.05)。有233例患者移植14天抽血检测β-HCG<5IU/L后18天未抽血检测β-HCG,追踪随访有7例患者妊娠,早期流产率为85.71%(6/7),继续妊娠率为14.29%(1/7)。结论:IVF-ET后双次血清β-HCG值对早期妊娠结局有较好的预测价值,有助于临床及早期鉴别诊断。     

Trends in primeval β-hCG level increment after fresh and frozen-thawed IVF embryo transfer cycles

Mid-trimester beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (BHCG) levels are considerably higher in pregnancies resulting from frozen embryo transfer (FET) compared with fresh (FRET), leading to a higher false positive rate in aneuploidy screening tests. We aimed to investigate the dynamics of BHCG increment and its predictive value for cycle outcome. A retrospective analysis of FRET and FET cycles. BHCG values on days 14 and 16 post embryo transfer were compared and stratified according to the number of sacs demonstrated on US scan at six weeks gestation, and pregnancy outcome (biochemical pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, and a singleton or twin birth). A prediction model for live birth was built. A total of 430 treatment cycles were analyzed. The average BHCG levels were significantly higher in FET compared with FRET group in nonviable pregnancies on day 14, 450 vs. 183?IU/L, p?<?.05 and day 16, 348 vs. 735?IU/L, p?<?.05, respectively. The increment of BHCG was significantly steeper in the FET compared with FRET group in biochemical pregnancies (F?=?6.485, p?=?.012*). Optimal cutoff level for live birth prediction in the FRET group was 211?IU/L (sensitivity 84%, specificity 76.2%) for day 14 and 440?IU/L (sensitivity 86.0% and specificity 72.5%) for day 16. The increment in BHCG differed significantly between the FRET and FET cycles in nonviable pregnancies. Nevertheless, the difference in BHCG levels observed in the second trimester in pregnancies conceived after FRET and FET cycle may begin as early as the fourth week of pregnancy.     

Ectopic pregnancies after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

Objective Our objective was to analyze the risk factors, stimulation characteristics, and future fecundity of patients with ectopic pregnancies after in vitro fertilization (IVF).Methods We retrospectively evaluated all cases of ectopic pregnancy occurring between January 1989 and March 1993 (Cornell series 1 to 17). A case-control group of intrauterine pregnancies was used for comparison of the stimulation and transfer characteristics.Results Twenty-seven of 1123 pregnancies (2.4%) were ectopic, following 2812 fresh IVF embryo transfers, while 8 of 105 pregnancies (7.6%) were ectopic, following 405 frozen-thawed embryo transfers. Tubal factor was the cause of infertility in the majority (85.7%) of ectopic pregnancies. No difference was found between the ectopics and the matched controls in stimulation and transfer characteristics. Thirty ectopic pregnancies were ampullary, two were interstitial, two were cervical, and one was heterotopic. Twenty of the patients subsequently underwent 29 IVF attempts, with a pregnancy rate of 41.4% per transfer.Conclusions Ectopic pregnancy after IVF appears to be related to preexisting tubal pathology; embryo transfer of cryopreserved thawed embryos in a natural cycle may result in a higher ectopic rate in these patients; in subsequent IVF cycles the intrauterine pregnancy rate of these patients is not decreased.     

Early pregnancy wastage after gamete manipulation

Summary. The outcome of 1034 pregnancies in women who conceived after referral for infertility management in seven treatment groups is detailed. The mean early pregnancy wastage (before 20 weeks gestation) was 27% and ranged from 18% after AID (artificial insemination by donor semen) to 33% after IVF-ET (in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer). These differences were not due to maternal age which was similar in all groups (means between 29.7 and 32.7 years). Excluding the AID group, there was a high rate of ectopic pregnancy which was significantly higher after GIFT (gamete intrafallopian transfer) and was only partly related to underlying tubal disease. Blighted ova was the main category of early pregnancy loss and was highest after AIH (artificial insemination by husband's semen). There was a higher rate of biochemical pregnancies after GIFT, PROST (pronuclear stage tubal transfer) and IVF-ET. Our findings confirm a high pregnancy wastage rate in subfertile women and highlight deficiencies in the sperm separation, gamete handling and IVF/embryo culture techniques.     

The significance of plasma progesterone levels during early pregnancies achieved after in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment

Objective Corpus luteum steroidogenesis is lower for in vivo ectopic pregnancy than for intrauterine pregnancy. There is a progesterone hallmark level distinguishing between viable intrauterine pregnancy and nonviable or ectopic pregnancy. This study attempts to answer whether this is also true for in vitro fertilization-treated patients. Study Design Using information retrieved from a computerized database, we compared the plasma 17Β-estradiol (E ₂) and progesterone during the luteal phase and for every 2 to 3 days for several weeks during early pregnancy between those patients with proven ectopic pregnancies and those with singleton and multiple intrauterine pregnancies. Vaginal ultrasonography to detect an intrauterine gestational sac was performed from day 19. A total of 73 pregnancies resulted from the replacement of fresh embryos in our in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer program. Results Only at day 10 post embryo transfer did those patients with ectopic pregnancy show statistically lower mean (SD) serum levels of E ₂ [2257 (SD, 2351) pmol/L] and plasma progesterone [PP; 221 (SD, 283) nmol/L] compared with patients with intrauterine pregnancy, whose mean E₂ was 8846 (SD, 5871) pmol/Land mean PP was 805 (SD, 582) nmol/L (P=0.008). For the rest of the follow-up until surgery was performed in ectopic pregnancy, there were no differences of statistical significance between extrauterine pregnancy and the intrauterine pregnancy groups. Furthermore, only on day 10 post embryo transfer, did we find a discriminatory zone (confidence interval, 95%) for E ₂ levels (903 to 3502 pmol/L for EP vs 6116 to 9493 pmol/L for a singleton and 4875 to 9493 pmol/L for multiple pregnancies). PP levels were 26 to 283 nmol/L for ectopic pregnancy versus 496 to 1096 nmol/L for both singleton and multiple pregnancies. An intrauterine gestational sac was visualized at a mean of 23.2 (SD, 4) days after embryo transfer. On this day, the mean P levels were 982.6 (SD, 286.2) nmol/L for intrauterine and 804.5 (SD, 502.4) nmol/L for ectopic pregnancies (P=NS. Conclusions Except for day 10 post embryo transfer, the steroidogenesis in ectopic pregnancy after in vitro fertilization treatment does not differ from successful intrauterine pregnancy. This observation negates an impaired steroidogenesis for ectopic pregnancy after in vitro fertilization and makes the PP level irrelevant in the diagnosis of pregnancy implantation.     

A case of retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy following IVF-ET in a patient with previous bilateral salpingectomy

The numbers of ectopic pregnancies have increased because of the popularization of assisted reproductive techniques. However, the retroperitoneal space is an exceptional location for ectopic pregnancy because the entrance to the retroperitoneal space is unknown. A woman 31 years of age who had received bilateral salpingectomy because of a right tubal ectopic pregnancy and a left hydrosalpinx 4 years earlier was treated by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a gestational sac attached to the inferior vena cava in the midabdomen of the retroperitoneal space. Single-dose methotrexate administration was administered twice. However, because of sudden upper abdominal pain with a drastic decline of hemoglobin, an emergent laparotomy was performed. The hematoma and a gestational sac were removed from the aorta and inferior vena cava. Ectopic pregnancy following IVF-ET in a patient with bilateral salpingectomy is likely to be the cause of implantation at this unusual site. An unusual ectopic pregnancy has a high risk of life-threatening massive bleeding. Intensive transabdominal ultrasound scanning and whole abdominal MRI should be performed for the early diagnosis of unruptured ectopic pregnancy.     

体外受精—胚胎移植后异位妊娠58例分析

目的:探讨体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)后异位妊娠(EP)的高危因素。方法:对接受体外受精胚胎移植(IVF-ET)助孕后发生异位妊娠病例的助孕指征、助孕方式等进行回顾性分析。结果:2009年1月至2010年12月佛市妇幼保健院行体外受精胚胎移植(IVF-ET)2445个周期,1153个周期临床妊娠,发生率47.16%,异位妊娠58个周期,发生率为5.03%。年龄、促性腺激素总量、取卵数、移植胚胎个数及优质胚胎率与本次助孕后异位妊娠的发生无关(P>0.05)。49例患者助孕指征为输卵管因素和/或盆腔粘连,占84.48%。2种助孕方式(IVF-ET,ICSI)比较,总妊娠率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),2种助孕方式异位妊娠率比较,差异亦无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:输卵管因素是异位妊娠发生的高危因素,与年龄、促性腺激素总量、取卵数、移植胚胎个数、优质胚胎率、助孕方式无关。     

体外受精-胚胎移植技术中74例异位妊娠的临床分析

目的:分析体外受精-胚胎移植(in vitro fertilization and embryo tranfer,IVF-ET)助孕技术中发生异位妊娠的影响因素、诊断、治疗方法及预防措施。方法:回顾性分析IVF-ET助孕技术中发生异位妊娠74例患者的临床资料。结果:所有接受IVF-ET的1 585患者中,共发生异位妊娠74例,异位妊娠发生率为4.67%;异位妊娠类型中输卵管妊娠71例,占总异位妊娠的95.95%。新鲜胚胎移植周期组异位妊娠发生率(5.41%)显著性高于冷冻胚胎复苏移植(frozing embryo transfer,FET)周期组(2.35%)(P<0.05)。移植深度距离宫底>1.2 cm时异位妊娠发生率显著性低于移植深度0.8~1.2 cm组。结论:IVF-ET助孕技术中异位妊娠发生率较自然妊娠过程中高;输卵管因素、促排卵药物的应用以及胚胎移植的深度是异位妊娠发生的主要影响因素。     

Risk of ectopic pregnancy following day-5 embryo transfer compared with day-3 transfer

The incidence of ectopic pregnancy after IVF is increased approximately 2.5–5-fold compared with natural conceptions; however, the aetiology for this increased risk remains unclear. One proposed practice change to decrease the incidence of ectopic pregnancy is blastocyst embryo transfer on day 5 rather than cleavage-stage embryo transfer on day 3. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to compare the risk of ectopic pregnancy following fresh day-5 embryo transfer with day-3 embryo transfer among women who underwent IVF and achieved pregnancy from 1998 to 2011. There were 13,654 eligible pregnancies; 277 were ectopic. The incidence of ectopic pregnancy was 2.1% among day-3 pregnancies and 1.6% among day-5 pregnancies. The adjusted risk ratio for ectopic pregnancy from day-5 compared with day-3 transfer was 0.71 (95% confidence interval 0.46–1.10). Although this analysis included 13,654 cycles, with a two-sided significance level of 0.05, it had only 21.9% power to detect a difference between the low incidence of ectopic pregnancy among both day-3 and day-5 transfers. In conclusion, this study was not able to demonstrate a difference in the risk of ectopic pregnancy among day-3 compared with day-5 transfers.     

Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

Objective: The combination of transvaginal sonography and serum hCG measurement is reliable in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy (EP) in spontaneous pregnancies. In patients who became pregnant through IVF-ET, transfer of multiple embryos after IVF could be responsible for the different performance of these tests. We evaluated the discriminative capacity of transvaginal sonography in combination with hCG measurement in the diagnosis of EP after IVF-ET.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting and Patient(s): Consecutive patients, pregnant through IVF-ET, who presented with clinically suspected EP.

Intervention(s): Transvaginal sonography, serum hCG measurement at 6, 9, and 15 days after ET and after a negative transvaginal sonography.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Ectopic pregnancy confirmed at laparoscopy.

Result(s): Between September 1993 and May 1996, 86 women were included in the study, of whom 24 had an EP. Transvaginal sonography identified 46 intrauterine pregnancies and 5 EPs, but serum hCG could not diagnose EPs in patients in whom transvaginal sonography did not show a gestational sac. Serum hCG measurement 9 days after ET could identify pregnancy failure with 100% specificity at a cut-off value of 18 IU/L, but it could not identify patients with EP with enough certainty to justify immediate treatment.

Conclusion(s): We recommend single serum hCG measurement 9 days after ET to discriminate between viable and nonviable pregnancies. Transvaginal sonography can be postponed until 5 weeks after ET, except for patients with abdominal pain and/or vaginal bleeding, or patients with a serum hCG level of <18 IU/L.     

The role of tubal pathology and other parameters in ectopic pregnancies occurring in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

Contradictory findings were reported concerning the role of tubal disease in the genesis of ectopic pregnancy in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). We report on six ectopics that occurred in 141 IVF-ET pregnancies (4.3%). All of the six cases were among 84 patients with tubal disease, and none occurred in the remaining 57 patients with other etiological factors. No correlation was found in other parameters including: ovulation induction, number of embryos transferred, and luteal support. A comparison between the ectopics and six matched controls demonstrated similar estradiol levels, but beta-hCG levels on day 15 to 17 after ET were lower. Homolateral salpingectomy was performed in all six cases, but a contralateral resection was carried out in three of them. More comprehensive studies are needed to clarify whether tubal pathology really increases the risk for ectopic gestation in IVF-ET.     

体外受精-胚胎移植后异位妊娠相关因素探讨

目的:探讨体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)后异位妊娠发生的相关因素。方法:本组IVF-ET移植病例共852例(包括冷冻胚胎移植),发生异位妊娠者16例;对照组为随机抽取IVF-ET宫内妊娠并正常分娩病例23例。结果:输卵管炎症、阻塞或积水者,宫外孕术后异位妊娠发生率明显上升;促排卵方案、胚胎数、子宫内膜厚度、不育原因、胚胎移植后黄体支持剂量无显著差异。结论:异位妊娠是一种IVF-ET的危险并发症,因此提高对IVF-ET后异位妊娠的发生危险性认识,对早期识别、诊断和处理异位妊娠十分重要。     

体外受精-胚胎移植后妊娠产科结局分析

目的　研究体外受精 胚胎移植 (IVF ET)术后妊娠的母儿围生期特点。方法　采用病例对照方法 ,选择行IVF ET术后妊娠并于 1993年 1月至 2 0 0 2年 12月分娩的妇女 2 5 5例 ,与同期分娩的自然受孕的妇女17175例对照 ,研究IVF ET术后妊娠的围生期情况。结果　IVF ET单胎妊娠的早产、前置胎盘、糖耐量试验(OGTT)异常、产后出血、剖宫产率高于自然受孕组 ,P <0 0 5。IVF ET双胎妊娠的分娩孕周、新生儿体重低于单胎妊娠 ,P <0 0 5 ;中度及重度妊娠期高血压疾病 (妊高征 )、胎膜早破发生率高于单胎妊娠 ,P <0 0 5。结论　IVF ET妊娠是高危妊娠 ,多胎妊娠率高是导致早产和低体重儿显著增多的主要原因 ,加强孕期保健 ,及时治疗并发症可获得良好的妊娠结局。     

Simultaneous ectopic pregnancy with intra-uterine gestation after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

A case of combined intra-uterine and tubal ectopic pregnancy is described following in vitro fertilization and the transfer of two four-cell and one two-cell embryos. This phenomenon is known to be related to ovarian stimulation by gonadotropin therapy, and there is an increased risk with tubal disease. Techniques applied at the time of embryo transfer, the use of culture medium with 50% fetal cord serum to convey the embryos to the uterus, the catheterization method, and the position of the patient during transfer are presented. The risk of multiple pregnancies and combined intra-uterine and ectopic gestations increases with numbers of transfers and large volume of transfer medium. We would therefore recommend that after IVF-ET treatment in women with tubal disease, intensive care should be taken in the early follow-up period to rule out the possibility of ectopic pregnancy. In this case, a viable ongoing intra-uterine pregnancy was confirmed after surgery for right ampullary ectopic pregnancy. And a 2,925 g male in excellent condition was delivered by Cesarean section without complications.     

Can a single, early quantitative human chorionic gonadotropin measurement in an in vitro fertilization-gamete intrafallopian transfer program predict pregnancy outcome?

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive value of a single serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) measurement obtained on day 14, 15, or 16 after transfer in in vitro fertilization or gamete intrafallopian transfer pregnancies. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs. PATIENTS: One hundred thirty-four consecutive pregnancies from two ART programs were reviewed. RESULTS: The incidence of livebirth was only 6% when day 14 to 16 hCG values were less than 100 mIU/mL, but increased to 82% with levels greater than 100 mIU/mL (P less than 0.001). The incidence of livebirth and multiple birth correlated with rising hCG levels. Only 1% (1/71) of pregnancies with serum hCG values greater than 100 mIU/mL was ectopic, and this case was a bilateral (double) ectopic. CONCLUSIONS: A single serum hCG measurement obtained 14 to 16 days after embryo or gamete transfer not only is diagnostic but also has good predictive value for pregnancy outcome.     

Very early pregnancy wastage in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET)

The occurrence and incidence of early pregnancy wastage in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program have been studied in 750 patients. In 297 (39.6%) a pregnancy was diagnosed; of these, 14.8% were biochemical and 24.8%, clinical pregnancies. In the latter group 23.6% aborted, while 75.8% had clinical ongoing pregnancies. The mean embryo quality score of the biochemical pregnancy group was similar to that of the clinical ongoing pregnancy group but statistically different from that of the clinical abortion group (P<0.005). Furthermore, the clinical ongoing pregnancy rate in women with previous biochemical pregnancy was 24.7%, a significantly higher percentage compared to clinical ongoing pregnancies achieved in IVF-ET cycles (P<0.05). It is possible that biochemical pregnancy does not represent an index for infertility but rather an intact stage of reproduction leading toward implantation. The high clinical pregnancy rate in subsequent cycles may probably serve as an encouraging sign or a marker for future clinical pregnancy.     

In vitro fertilization with concurrent pelvic reconstructive surgery

The recent advent of ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration by various approaches now allows access to ovaries previously deemed inaccessible by laparoscopy; however, a small group of candidates for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) require laparotomy for associated gynecologic disorders. Twenty-five IVF-ET cycles at the time of laparotomy were compared with 309 IVF-ET cycles in which oocytes were retrieved laparoscopically. Five pregnancies occurred in the IVF-ET cycle with laparotomy and one pregnancy occurred spontaneously following microsurgical tubal reconstruction. The pregnancy rate per embryo transfer was 25% in the laparotomy IVF-ET patients compared with 15.4% for the laparoscopy IVF-ET group. Obvious advantages of combining IVF-ET and pelvic reconstructive surgery include a single anesthesia exposure and economic benefits. Patients with a long history of infertility undergoing tubal reconstructive surgery may be offered combined IVF-ET. Extended anesthesia exposure with pelvic surgery demonstrated no adverse effects on the pregnancy rate.