Ectopic pregnancy in the assisted reproduction

Abstract

It is well known that the very first pregnancy after an IVF treatment resulted in an ectopic one. To date, a high number of publications have been published dealing with this topic. The incidence was found to be 2 to 11%. Though most of the studies could not find any risk factors, others evaluated a significant correlation between the appearance of ectopic pregnancies and small cavi uteri as well as tubal defects. The aim of our study was to compare the actual incidence and peculiarities of ectopic pregnancies, in particular heterotopic pregnancies, in IVF with the normal population. Like in previous studies the number of ectopic pregnancies was increased. This event was much rather related to tubal defects of the patient than the IVF or ICSI procedure per se. In addition, it could be demonstrated that compared to spontaneous pregnancies progesterone but not hCG is increased. Heterotopic pregnancies, which were found to be increased in ART, make exact diagnosis difficult. The percentage of heterotopic pregnancies within this ectopic pregnancies was alarming, therefore, one should consider that if an ectopic pregnancy is suspected. In addition, it was found that ectopic pregnancies after IVF were rather situated near the uterus compared to spontaneous ones.