Transvaginal Doppler study of uterine artery blood flow in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles.
OBJECTIVE
To verify whether uterine artery impedance, measured as pulsatility index and resistance index is related to the outcome of in IVF-ET cycles.


METHODS
Prospective study of infertile women participating in an IVF-ET program.


METHODS
University Hospital.


METHODS
Two hundred women (24 to 40 years of age), who had one to three good quality embryos transferred to the uterus after a standardized IVF cycle.


METHODS
Transvaginal color Doppler and a blood sample on the day of ET.


METHODS
Uterine artery pulsatility index and resistance index, endometrial thickness, serum E2 and P concentrations, clinical pregnancy rate (PR).


RESULTS
Pulsatility indices and resistance indices were lower in conception (2.45 +/- 0.54 and 0.85 +/- 0.04, respectively) than in nonconception cycles (2.66 +/- 0.39 and 0.87 +/- 0.04, respectively), although the overlap of the values is considerable. Overall PR was 35% per ET, and it decreased significantly when pulsatility index was > 3.0 (15%) and resistance index > 0.92 (13%), being lowest when pulsatility index was > 3.3 and resistance index > 0.95 (10%). Such a high impedance was detected in 9% of nonconception cycles.


CONCLUSIONS
In IVF-ET cycles the uterus is likely to be unreceptive when uterine artery pulsatility index is > 3.3 and resistance index > 0.95 before ET, but this occurs only in 9% of the cycles.
Cacciatore
B
B
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Simberg
N
N
Fusaro
P
P
Tiitinen
A
A
D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014655:Vascular Resistance