Adjuvant low-dose aspirin therapy in poor responders undergoing in vitro fertilization: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of adjuvant low-dose aspirin on utero-ovarian blood flow and ovarian responsiveness in poor responders undergoing IVF.


METHODS
Prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.


METHODS
University-affiliated teaching hospital.


METHODS
Sixty patients classified as poor responders undergoing IVF.


METHODS
Supplementation with low-dose aspirin (80 mg daily) or placebo to a long down-regulation protocol.


METHODS
Doppler measurement of intraovarian and uterine pulsatility index was performed before (baseline) and after ovarian stimulation (day of hCG administration). Duration of use and dose of gonadotropins, cycle cancellation rate, number of mature follicles recruited, and oocytes retrieved were also measured.


RESULTS
High cancellation rates were found in both groups (33.3% vs. 26.7%, placebo vs. treatment). There were no significant differences in total dose of hMG used (66 vs. 57 hMG, 75 IU ampules), median number of mature follicles recruited (3.5 vs. 3.0), or median number of oocytes retrieved (4 vs. 3). No significant differences were found in either intraovarian or uterine artery pulsatility index measured at baseline or on the day of hCG administration.


CONCLUSIONS
Supplementation with low-dose aspirin failed to improve either ovarian and uterine blood flow or ovarian responsiveness in poor responders undergoing IVF.
Lok
Ingrid Hung
IH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China. ingridlok@cuhk.edu.hk
Yip
Shing-Kai
SK
Cheung
Lai Ping
LP
Yin Leung
Peter Ho
PH
Haines
Christopher John
CJ
D000328:Adult; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008596:Menotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000503:physiopathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D010919:Placebos; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D017211:Treatment Failure; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D010919:Placebos; D008596:Menotropins; D001241:Aspirin