Is blastocyst transfer useful as an alternative treatment for patients with multiple in vitro fertilization failures?
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether blastocyst transfer is of benefit to patients with multiple IVF failures.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
The George Washington University Medical Center.


METHODS
Patients undergoing IVF between October 1, 1997, and November 30, 1998, who had previously undergone three or more unsuccessful IVF cycles. Patients who had at least three embryos at the 8- to 12-cell stage available on day 3 were eligible for the study.


METHODS
Patients were given the option of day 3 ET (group A) or blastocyst transfer (group B).


METHODS
Blastocyst-formation rate, clinical pregnancy rate (PR) per transfer, and implantation rate per transfer.


RESULTS
Groups A and B were similar in terms of age, the number of previous failed IVF cycles, fertilization rate, and the number of fertilized oocytes per cycle. The blastocyst-formation rate was 51.0%. Clinical pregnancy and implantation rates per transfer were statistically significantly higher in the blastocyst-transfer group. There were no multiple pregnancies after blastocyst transfer.


CONCLUSIONS
Blastocyst transfer increases implantation rates and PRs in patients with multiple failed IVF cycles, without increasing the risk of multiple pregnancy.
Cruz
J R
JR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20037, USA.
Dubey
A K
AK
Patel
J
J
Peak
D
D
Hartog
B
B
Gindoff
P R
PR
D000328:Adult; D001755:Blastocyst; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017211:Treatment Failure