title: Analysis of ectopic pregnancies resulting from in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to analyse the risk factors, stimulation characteristics, site and outcome of pregnancy and future fecundity of patients who develop ectopic pregnancies after in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Of 3145 transfer cycles between January 1981 and July 1989, 27 (3.3%) of the resulting 825 pregnancies were ectopic. There was a significantly greater incidence of a prior ectopic pregnancy in the study group compared to the controls. Compared to matched controls with intrauterine pregnancies, the study group had significantly higher peak oestradiol levels. Twenty-one ectopic pregnancies were ampullary, two were interstitial, one was abdominal, one was cervical and two were heterotopic. Sixteen of the patients subsequently underwent 40 IVF attempts with a pregnancy rate of 28% per transfer. We conclude that patients with a prior ectopic pregnancy are at risk for an IVF ectopic pregnancy. The subsequent IVF outcome of those who develop ectopic pregnancies after IVF is encouraging.
authors.affiliation: Howard and Georeanna Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk 23507.
authors.forename: V C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Karande
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Flood
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Heard
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Veeck
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Muasher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors