Color-Doppler velocimetry of uterine arteries in pregnant and nonpregnant patients during multiovulation induction for IVF.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate uterine artery resistance during multiovulation induction in relation to the implantation rate in patients attending in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.


METHODS
Multiovulation induction for IVF was monitored by daily determination of the pulsatility index (PI) of the uterine arteries, obtained by a transvaginal probe (6.5 MHz) implemented with color-flow imaging. Doppler data were obtained from 5 days before hCG administration to the day of follicular aspiration. One IVF cycle was monitored in 70 patients. In 17 patients, 41 IVF cycles were monitored until a successful attempt occurred.


RESULTS
In the 70 patients studied during one IVF attempt, the PI of the uterine arteries significantly varied (P < 0.001) in the different phases of the cycle. In the 24 patients who conceived, a significantly lower PI (P < 0.03) was found throughout the cycle. This result was mainly due to a highly significant difference of PI values observed the day after hCG administration (P < 0.005). In the 17 patients who conceived after 1 to 4 negative in vitro fertilizations, no significant difference in PI was observed in the uterine artery resistance in cycles in which implantation was or was not successful.


CONCLUSIONS
Uterine artery resistance varies significantly during phases of the induction therapy. Uterine artery resistance is lower throughout the course of multiovulation induction in patients with higher pregnancy rates. The PI on the day after hCG administration was the best index of pregnancy rate. Low uterine artery resistance was present even in negative attempts in patients who eventually achieved a successful implantation. PI values < or = 3 can be considered a favorable prognostic factor for future IVF cycles.
Levi-Setti
P E
PE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Milan School of Medicine, San Paolo Biomedical Institute, Italy.
Rognoni
G
G
Bozzo
M
M
Ragusa
G
G
Sulpizio
P
P
Ferrazzi
E
E
Pardi
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin