Effects of low-dose aspirin in in-vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
In theory, use of aspirin in IVF is based on its anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, and platelet aggregation inhibition properties, which improve blood flow to a woman's implantation site. It is hypothesized that this effect on blood flow will improve success rates.


RESULTS
Clinical studies investigating the use of low-dose aspirin (LDA) as an adjuvant therapy to IVF have produced conflicting results. The conflicting results have come as a consequence of the heterogeneous mixture of clinical trials with lack of adequate power. Even after multiple meta-analyses, differing estimates of effect were calculated as to whether aspirin should be used in conjunction with IVF.


CONCLUSIONS
Conflicting results leave the question of the effects of LDA in IVF unanswered. More trials are required for analysis to have adequate statistical power and until then the data remain unclear. At this point, there are not enough data to show that aspirin has a beneficial effect on the outcomes of IVF, but absence of effect is not adequate grounds to overturn the current clinical practice for those using LDA in efforts aimed at achieving success with IVF.
Schisterman
Enrique F
EF
Division of Epidemiology, Statistics, and Prevention Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. schistee@mail.nih.gov
Gaskins
Audrey J
AJ
Whitcomb
Brian W
BW
D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy
D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin