Pregnancy rate in IVF rescue in high responders to human menopausal gonadotropin.
OBJECTIVE
In vitro fertilization had been previously suggested by us as a means of "rescue" for patients with imminent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) during treatment with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG). We evaluated the pregnancy rate of rescued IVF cycles.


METHODS
During the years 1994-1995, women treated with hMG and at risk of developing OHSS were referred to our IVF unit. Their estradiol level was above 1500 pg/ml, and eight or more follicles were observed by ultrasonography in all the patients. These high responders were offered the option to undergo ovum aspiration. We report the pregnancy rate in this group of patients.


RESULTS
Thirty-nine women were referred to our unit for rescue IVF. Two were uneligible due to high progesterone concentrations. Thirty-seven women underwent ovum pickup and 32 had embryo transfer. The clinical pregnancy rate was 40% (13/32). Only two women had clinical OHSS.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that rescue IVF may be considered in hMG cycles of high responders with imminent OHSS. Rescue IVF offers a high rate of conception, avoids high-order multiple pregnancy, and appears not to increase the risk of OHSS in these women.
Many
A
A
Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Azem
F
F
Lessing
J B
JB
Yovel
I
I
Yavetz
H
H
Amit
A
A
D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008596:Menotropins / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D014463:Ultrasonography
D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D008596:Menotropins