Embryo transfer practices in the United States: a survey of clinics registered with the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.
OBJECTIVE
To gain a better understanding of factors influencing clinicians' embryo transfer practices.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Web-based survey conducted in December 2008 of individuals practicing IVF in centers registered with the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART).


METHODS
None.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Prevalence of clinicians reporting following embryo transfer guidelines recommended by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), prevalence among these clinicians to deviate from ASRM guidelines in commonly encountered clinical scenarios, and practice patterns related to single embryo transfer.


RESULTS
Six percent of respondents reported following their own, independent guidelines for the number of embryos to transfer after IVF. Of the 94% of respondents who reported routinely following ASRM embryo transfer guidelines, 52% would deviate from these guidelines for patient request, 51% for cycles involving the transfer of frozen embryos, and 70% for patients with previously failed IVF cycles. All respondents reported routinely discussing the risks of multiple gestations associated with standard embryo transfer practices, whereas only 34% reported routinely discussing single embryo transfer with all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the majority of clinicians responding to our survey reported following ASRM embryo transfer guidelines, at least half would deviate from these guidelines in a number of different situations.
Jungheim
Emily S
ES
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri. Electronic address: jungheime@wudosis.wustl.edu.
Ryan
Ginny L
GL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
Levens
Eric D
ED
Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland.
Cunningham
Alexandra F
AF
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.
Macones
George A
GA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.
Carson
Kenneth R
KR
Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.
Beltsos
Angeline N
AN
Fertility Centers of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois.
Odem
Randall R
RR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.
D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004624:Embryo Transfer / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D011247:Pregnancy; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012042:Registries; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States