title: Severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: is it really preventable by prophylactic intravenous albumin?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of i.v. albumin in preventing severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in patients at risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review and data analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-based tertiary referral center for assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty women at high risk of developing severe OHSS after superovulation for ART.
  
  
  METHODS
  One liter of albumin (4.5%) administered i.v. during oocyte retrieval and immediately afterward.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 60 women who had prophylactic i.v. albumin, 5 (8%) developed severe OHSS, which led to hospitalization. Eight (13%) developed moderate OHSS. Forty-seven (78%) did not develop any symptoms. Four of the 5 women who developed severe OHSS had ET and 3 of them (75%) were pregnant (1 twin and 2 singletons).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravenous albumin administered at oocyte retrieval does not prevent the occurrence of severe OHSS, especially in cases associated with pregnancy. It is important that clinicians are not lured into a false sense of security by the early report, full of promise, on the use of i.v. albumin to prevent severe OHSS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ndukwe
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fishel
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dowell
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aloum
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D009865:Oocytes; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013480:Superovulation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D004958:Estradiol