Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is associated with reversible impairment of vascular reactivity

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is a loss of normal peripheral arteriolar vasoconstrictor reactivity in women with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). SETTING: Prospective controlled study. DESIGN: National University Hospital, Singapore. PATIENT(S): Forty-three women undergoing treatment in an IVF program: 22 women with severe OHSS and 21 normal women without OHSS. INTERVENTION(S): Measurement and quantification of the cutaneous arteriolar vasoconstrictor response using laser Doppler fluximetry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Changes in blood flow as an index of vasoconstrictor response before and after treatment for OHSS with albumin. RESULT(S): The mean (+/-SE) percentage (%) change in normal control women was -68.3% +/- 4.7. This was significantly different from women with OHSS (-32.3% +/- 11.1). The response in women with OHSS changed significantly after treatment with IV albumin (-60.4% +/- 5.7) and was no different than the control response. The reproducibility of the technique was -13.6% (+/-2.8). CONCLUSION(S): Women with OHSS have impaired vascular reactivity when compared with normal women.