Doppler ultrasound examination of uterine arteries on the day of oocyte retrieval in patients with uterine fibroids undergoing IVF

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus as to whether uterine fibroids have any adverse effects on the outcomes of assisted reproduction treatment. This prospective study compared implantation/pregnancy rates of women with and without fibroids undergoing IVF-embryo transfer and measured uterine blood flow indices of the fibroid group. METHODS: Patients who had fibroids that, during transvaginal scanning, were found to be not distorting the endometrial lining were placed in the fibroid group, while patients with normal uteri were controls. Those with previous myomectomy or pedunculated subserosal fibroids only were excluded. All received a standard ovarian stimulation regimen. Doppler ultrasound examinations of uterine arteries were carried out in the fibroid group prior to oocyte retrieval. RESULTS: Similar implantation/pregnancy rates, multiple pregnancy rates and pregnancy outcomes were noted in both groups. In the fibroid group, significantly lower pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) of the right uterine artery and the average of right and left uterine arteries were found in those failing to conceive than in those patients who subsequently conceived (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The presence of fibroids not distorting the endometrial lining does not adversely affect implantation and pregnancy rates during IVF-embryo transfer. Significantly lower uterine artery PI and RI were found in non-pregnant women with fibroids than in their pregnant counterparts.