How to improve your ART success rates. An evidence‐based review of adjuncts to IVF edited by Gab Kovacs

Gab Kovacs ( Editor ). How to improve your ART success rates. An evidence-based review of adjuncts to IVF . Cambridge University Press , Cambridge , UK , 2011 . 262 pages. ISBN: 978-1-107-64832-6. Price € 50 . The book is divided into eight sections consisting of 48 chapters covering different aspects of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Altogether, 79 contributors cover ART in their articles thoroughly, starting from patient selection and preparation, going through different ways of accomplishing and monitoring IVF-treatments, and finishing with assessment of results. Patient selection and preparation comprise in all 11 chapters covering pre-treatment hormone assessment, the role of pelvic sonography, pre-IVF laparo- and hysteroscopy, management of fibroids and polyps, endometriosis and hydrosalpinges. There are also chapters in this section about the importance of weight control and the role of metformin in polycystic ovary patients. The alternative to IVF treatment, artificial insemination by husband (AIH), is discussed in section 2. Five sections concentrate on different aspects of IVF-treatment such as stimulation, monitoring the treatment, laboratory techniques, embryo transfer and ancillary treatments, including heparin and aspirin, estrogen and progesterone supplements, corticosteroids and immunotherapy, even traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and sildenafil. Future fertility for young women with cancer and psychological perspectives on IVF treatment are also covered. The final section of the book focuses on assessment of results – how to report IVF success rates, why randomized controlled trials are needed and how they should be performed and how to read a Cochrane review. In conclusion, this book is an excellent overview of different aspects of ART. It covers a great number of factors in detail from planning and carrying out the IVF treatment until assessment of results. Both the basics and more detailed novel information are reviewed. The sections are arranged in a logical sequence. They are relatively short, easy to read and the number of references is mostly limited to less than 10. I can honestly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in learning more about ART today, whether as a beginner or as an expert in this field.