title: Human chorionic gonadotropin levels after blastocyst transfer are highly predictive of pregnancy outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the predictive value(s) of beta-hCG serum levels for pregnancy outcome following blastocyst transfer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-based assisted reproductive technology (ART) program.
  
  
  METHODS
  All ART patients enrolled from January 1998 to December 1999.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Beta-hCG serum levels and pregnancy outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 836 ART cycles initiated, 608 embryo transfers met study criteria and were assigned to one of two groups: 248 day 5 blastocyst transfers or 360 day 3 embryo transfers. In the day 5 blastocyst group, 147 pregnancies occurred (59.2%), and day 3 transfers resulted in 165 pregnancies (45.8%). For day 3 and day 5 transfers, mean values of beta-hCG on day 16 post-retrieval of spontaneous abortions were lower than ongoing pregnancies (P< .05). A beta-hCG value on day 16 of >300 mIU/mL predicted an ongoing pregnancy for day 5 transfer group in 97% of pregnancies compared with 92% for day 3 embryo transfers. A multiple gestation was observed in 70% of pregnancies with a beta-hCG level >400 mIU/mL in the day 5 group compared with 63% for the day 3 group. The incidence of higher-order multiple gestations was significantly lower in the day 5 blastocyst group (P< .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Beta-hCG serum levels on day 16 post-retrieval were highly predictive of pregnancy outcome after a blastocyst transfer.
authors.affiliation: Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307, USA.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Papageorgiou
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Leondires
authors.forename: B T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Segars
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001755:Blastocyst; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin