Impact of Intraendometrial Vascularity on Implantation Rates in Frozen Blastocyst Transfer

Abstract

Ab s t r ac t Introduction: Implantation remains the main limiting factor in the success of in vitro fertilization treatment, despite major advances made in this field. This study was done to evaluate whether intraendometrial vascularity affects the outcome in cases of Frozen embryo transfer (FET). Materials and methods: In total, 226 patients undergoing frozen embryo transfer out of the total 233 patients were recruited for the study. Endometrial preparation was done by artificial cycle protocol in all the patients with estradiol valerate. Endometrium is evaluated for its thickness and its morphology as seen on B-mode ultrasound. Endometrial vascularity is evaluated by power Doppler (PD) and pulse-wave Doppler. Post-embryo transfer of two Grade 1 frozen-thawed blastocyst, judicial luteal support was given. Beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) was checked after 14 days for confirmation of pregnancy in all the patients. In all β-hCG positive cases, ultrasound was done after 10 days. All the patients with pregnancy were followed up by ultrasound for the entire first trimester and miscarriages were documented. Results: Patients showed higher positive pregnancy rate and lesser miscarriage rate with vascular penetration in zone 3 and zone 4 of the endometrium. Conception rate and miscarriage rate did not vary significantly with change in endometrial thickness beyond 7 mm in Frozen embryo transfer cycles.