title: Changes in measured endometrial thickness predict in vitro fertilization success.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the predictive ability of endometrial thickness and changes in endometrial thickness on pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing IVF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cohort analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic IVF center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infertile patients undergoing 132 fresh autologous IVF cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transvaginal ultrasound to assess endometrial thickness at three defined points during IVF (after pituitary suppression, on the sixth day of gonadotropin stimulation, and on the day of hCG administration).
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary outcome variables included endometrial lining thickness at baseline, on day 6 of gonadotropins, the day of hCG administration, and the change in endometrial thickness during gonadotropin stimulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients attaining pregnancy had significantly greater endometrial thickness on day 6 and endometrial thickness on day of hCG administration. Pregnant patients had a greater change in endometrial thickness from the baseline to day 6 when compared to nonpregnant patients. Threshold analysis and receiver-operator characteristic curves noted significant endometrial thickness levels for implantation and pregnancy rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endometrial responsiveness and thickness during the early IVF stimulation seem to be better prognostic predictors of success than endometrial thickness at the start or the end of the IVF cycle.
authors.affiliation: Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
authors.forename: Grant D E
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: McWilliams
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Frattarelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004717:Endometrium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate / Q000639:trends*; D012107:Research Design / Q000639:trends; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography