Modern embryo transfer catheters and pregnancy outcome: a prospective randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
Embryo transfer (ET) is the final crucial step in IVF treatment. The type of catheter used can affect the pregnancy rate (PR). In this prospective, randomized trial we compared the clinical PR between the Wallace and the Cook K-Jet embryo transfer catheters.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
A National Health Service Assisted Reproduction Unit.


METHODS
One hundred fifty women undergoing a fresh ET. Age more than 40 years, a high basal FSH, a previous difficult ET, or more than six previous ETs were the exclusion criteria.


METHODS
Women undergoing a fresh ET were randomized at the time of ET to either the Cook K-Jet or Wallace embryo transfer catheter. The randomization was stratified according to age and the number of previous ETs.


METHODS
Clinical PR.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the clinical PR between the Wallace and the Cook catheters (22/75 [29.3%] and 23/75 [30.6%], relative risk [RR]: 0.96 [95% confidence interval 0.58-1.58]).


CONCLUSIONS
There is no significant difference in the PRs achieved by modern, soft, double-lumen ET catheters.
McIlveen
Myvanwy
M
The Jessop Wing, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Lok
Fong Derek
FD
Pritchard
Jane
J
Lashen
Hany
H
D000328:Adult; D001604:Berlin; D002404:Catheterization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies