Transvaginal ultrasound-guided embryo transfer improves outcome in patients with previous failed in vitro fertilization cycles.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of transvaginal ultrasound-guided ET in IVF cycles performed on patients who had previously failed to conceive from IVF and compare the results to previous cycles where ultrasound guidance was not used.


METHODS
Retrospective clinical study.


METHODS
Private practice IVF program.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-nine women undergoing consecutive cycles of IVF where fresh embryos were transferred.


METHODS
Transvaginal ultrasound guidance was used during transfer of embryos.


METHODS
Patient age, number of ampules of gonadotropin used, maximum E(2) level, number of oocytes retrieved, number of two pronuclei embryos obtained, number of embryos transferred, mean embryo score, implantation and pregnancy rate.


RESULTS
There was no difference in any of the clinical parameters measured in IVF cycles resulting in pregnancy when transvaginal ultrasound-guided ET was used compared to the failed cycles when there was no ultrasound guidance. Of the patients who previously had failed IVF cycles and subsequently had IVF cycles with ultrasound guidance, those who became pregnant had higher mean embryo scores than those who did not become pregnant. Overall implantation and pregnancy rates were higher during the study period when transvaginal ultrasound guidance was used than in the previous 3 years when it was not used.


CONCLUSIONS
Transvaginal ultrasound-guided ET may be responsible for successful IVF cycles in patients who had previously failed to conceive when embryos were transferred by the clinical touch method. Transvaginal ultrasound guidance may also be responsible for an overall increase in embryo implantation and pregnancy compared to the use of the clinical touch method.
Anderson
Robert E
RE
Southern California Center for Reproductive Medicine, California, Newport Beach 92663, USA. rea@socalfertility.com
Nugent
Nancy L
NL
Gregg
Amanda T
AT
Nunn
Susan L
SL
Behr
Barry R
BR
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D002452:Cell Count; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014621:Vagina
D004958:Estradiol