title: The choice of embryo transfer catheter affects embryo implantation after IVF.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Comparison of two transfer catheters in an IVF program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A private tertiary care center for ART.
  
  
  METHODS
  66 patients < 38 years of age undergoing IVF and/or ICSI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomly assigned to undergo ET using the Tomcat catheter (n = 32) or the TDT catheter (n = 34).
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary outcome measures were implantation and pregnancy rates. Secondary outcome measures were contamination with blood and/or mucus on the tip of the catheter, cramping or patient discomfort, and time required to complete ET.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Use of the Tomcat catheter resulted in significantly higher implantation (25.2% vs. 8.4%) and clinical pregnancy rates (47% vs. 14.7%) compared with the TDT catheter. All secondary outcome measures were similar for both catheters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The choice of ET catheter may affect the success of IVF-ET cycles. Use of the Tomcat catheter compared with the TDT catheter seems to result in significantly better efficiency of the ET procedure and is more cost effective.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toronto Centre for Advanced Reproductive Technology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meriano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weissman
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Greenblatt
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Casper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic