The questionable use of albumin for the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in an IVF programme: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
The role of intravenous (IV) albumin administration in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and in the improvement of IVF conception outcomes was evaluated in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled double blind study.


METHODS
Ninety-eight women were enrolled in the study and were consecutively assigned to either a treatment group or a control group. Eleven patients were lost to follow-up after assignment. Of the remaining 87 women, 46 received albumin on the day of oocyte retrieval, and 41 received 0.9% sodium chloride solution as a placebo control. Outcome measures included OHSS incidence rates and pregnancy rates in the two trial groups.


RESULTS
Four of the 46 patients in the study group developed severe OHSS and six developed moderate OHSS. In the control group, one of the 41 developed severe OHSS and five developed moderate OHSS. The difference in OHSS incidence rates between the two groups was not statistically significant [relative risk (RR) = 1.49, 95% CI = 0.59-3.73]. Fourteen patients (30%) in the intervention group conceived, compared with 16 patients (39%) in the control group. The difference in conception rates between the two groups was not statistically significant (RR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.44-1.39).


CONCLUSIONS
Albumin appears to have no positive effect on OHSS or conception rates, while its use carries the risk of undesirable side effects, including exacerbation of ascites in OHSS, nausea, vomiting, febrile reaction, allergic reaction, anaphylactic shock and risk of virus and prion transmission. We suggest that this form of treatment should not be included in the prevention of OHSS.
Ben-Chetrit
A
A
IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shaare Zedek Medical Centre, Ben-Gurion University, Jerusalem 91031, Israel. benchet@inter.net.il
Eldar-Geva
T
T
Gal
M
M
Huerta
M
M
Mimon
T
T
Algur
N
N
Diamant
Y Z
YZ
Margalioth
E J
EJ
D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017211:Treatment Failure
D012709:Serum Albumin