Abstract
Research question
Are IVF treatments with extremely high peak oestradiol levels and gonadotrophin releasing
hormone (GnRH) agonist trigger associated with higher complication rates?
Design
A retrospective cohort study including patients from two large medical centres treated
between 2019 and 2021. A study group with extremely high peak oestradiol levels (≥20,000
pmol/l on the day of ovarian stimulation, or ≥15,000 pmol/l on the previous day) and
a control group with normal range oestradiol levels (3000–12000 pmol/l) that received
GnRH agonist triggering. Patients were surveyed about complaints and medical care
related to ovum retrieval and medical files were reviewed. Major complication rates
and the need for medical assistance were compared.
Results
Several differences between the study and control group were observed because of the
study design: mean age was 33.01 ± 5.14 versus 34.57 ± 4.52 (P < 0.001), mean peak oestradiol levels was 26645.34 ± 8592.57 pmol/l versus 7229.75
± 2329.20 pmol/l (P < 0.001), and mean number of oocytes were 27.55 ± 13.46 versus 11.67 ± 5.76 (P < 0.001) for the study and control group, respectively. Major complications and hospitalization
rates were similar between the study and control groups (three [1.25%] versus one
[0.48%]; P = 0.62 and three [1.25%] versus two [0.96%]; P = 1.0, respectively). Thirty-six patients (15.1%) in the study group and 11 (5.3%)
in the control group sought medical care after retrieval, mostly due to abdominal
pain, without the need for further workup or hospitalization (P < 0.001).
Conclusions
Extremely high oestradiol levels were not associated with thromboembolic events, higher
major complication or hospitalization rates, and therefore may be considered safe.
Nevertheless, patients may be informed of possible higher rates of discomfort, mostly
abdominal pain. Larger studies are warranted to confirm our results.
KEYWORDS
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Biography
Michal Youngster obtained her MD degree from Tel-Aviv University and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynaecology at Shamir Medical Center, followed by training in adolescent reproductive medicine at Boston Children's Hospital. She is senior physician in the Reproductive Endocrinology unit at Shamir Medical Center, affiliated with Tel Aviv University.
Key message
Extremely high oestradiol levels during stimulation, in patients receiving gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist trigger, were not associated with higher major complication or hospitalization rates. Although considered safe, they were associated with higher rates of discomfort, mostly abdominal pain.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 01, 2022
Accepted:
November 28,
2022
Received in revised form:
October 26,
2022
Received:
August 24,
2022
Declaration: The authors report no financial or commercial conflicts of interest.Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
