title: Optimizing hCG cut-off values: a single determination on day 14 or 15 is sufficient for a reliable prediction of pregnancy outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Optimizing the cut-off level for a single serum hCG determination around day 15 after oocyte retrieval or ovulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  204 hCG samples >5 IU/L between March and October 1999 taken on day 14, 15 or 16 after oocyte retrieval in 204 patients undergoing IVF or ICSI were analyzed. ROC-curves and optimal cut-off levels to discriminate between viable and non-viable pregnancies were calculated for each day separately. Cut-off levels were found at 76, 142 and 223 IU/L for day 14, 15 and 16, respectively, and were verified by 487 hCG samples >5 IU/L taken between January 2000 and June 2004.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A single serum hCG determination on day 14 or 15 is sufficient to discriminate viable pregnancies accurately from non-viable pregnancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, VU University Medical Center, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. mj.lambers@vumc.nl
authors.forename: Marieke J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lambers
authors.forename: Hans G I
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: van Weering
authors.forename: Maud S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: van't Grunewold
authors.forename: Cornelis B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Lambalk
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Homburg
authors.forename: Roel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schats
authors.forename: Peter G A
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Hompes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012372:ROC Curve; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin