Detection of the subendometrial vascularization flow index by three-dimensional ultrasound may be useful for predicting the pregnancy rate for patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain quantitative data on endometrial volume and subendometrial blood flow by three-dimensional ultrasound clue to endometrial receptivity.


METHODS
A prospective, nonrandomized clinical study.


METHODS
One tertiary center for assisted reproduction.


METHODS
Fifty-four patients aged <38 years with normal basal serum FSH level experiencing their first IVF cycle, whose uteri were morphologically normal as confirmed by 3-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound, were studied.


METHODS
Ultrasound evaluation was performed for all patients with 3-D facility by a single operator on the day of hCG administration.


METHODS
Ultrasonographic parameters and conception rates.


RESULTS
Subendometrial vascularization flow index (VFI) in predicting the pregnancy rate of IVF was superior to that using vascularization index, flow index, or endometrial volume in the receiver operating characteristics curve analysis. The best prediction rate was achieved by a VFI cutoff value of >0.24.


CONCLUSIONS
The detection of subendometrial blood flow by 3-D power Doppler ultrasound may be a useful ultrasound parameter in the prediction of pregnancy rate of IVF, especially subendometrial VFI.
Wu
Hsien-Ming
HM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Chiang
Chi-Hsin
CH
Huang
Hong-Yuan
HY
Chao
An-Shine
AS
Wang
Hsin-Shih
HS
Soong
Yung-Kuei
YK
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004717:Endometrium / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000097:blood; D012372:ROC Curve; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases