A prospective randomized comparison of the Wallace catheter and the Cook Echo-Tip catheter for ultrasound-guided embryo transfer.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the performance of a new coaxial catheter system with an echo-dense tip (Cook Echo-Tip catheter) with a Wallace catheter during ultrasound-guided ET.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized study.


METHODS
Private academically affiliated infertility center.


METHODS
Two hundred fifty-one patients undergoing IVF-ET.


METHODS
The patients underwent ultrasound-guided ET by a single physician with a standardized technique alternately using one of the two catheters.


METHODS
Implantation rates, pregnancy rates, ease of transfer, visualization, and status of catheter tip.


RESULTS
The echo-dense tip of the Cook Echo-Tip catheter was consistently seen with ultrasound guidance, minimizing the need for catheter movement to identify the tip. Implantation rate (30% vs. 35%), clinical pregnancy rate (57% vs. 55%), and ongoing pregnancy rate (49% vs. 47%) were similar in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The Cook Echo-Tip catheter with its echogenic tip simplifies ultrasound-guided ET, but pregnancy success rates are similar to those obtained when a Wallace catheter is used.
Karande
Vishvanath
V
Center for Human Reproduction and the Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA. vkarande@aol.com
Hazlett
David
D
Vietzke
Mary
M
Gleicher
Norbert
N
D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography