Effect of intramural fibroid on uterine and endometrial vascularity in infertile women scheduled for in-vitro fertilization.

Abstract

To study the effect of intramural fibroids on uterine and endometrial vascularity in infertile women scheduled for in-vitro fertilization (IVF). 3D power Doppler was used to measure the endometrial volume and blood flow indices in 182 women with intramural fibroids not affecting the uterine cavity and compared them to a matched control group without fibroids. There was significantly increased vascularity in the endometrium of the fibroid group as denoted by higher endometrial VI (p=0.018), FI (p=0.027) and Endometrial VFI. No significant difference in mean uterine artery RI (p=0.277) or PI (p=0.187). Among the fibroid group 62.6% had a fibroid >4cm. Women with fibroids >4cm had a significantly higher Endometrial FI (p=0.037), and VFI (p=0.02). Uterine artery blood flow was not affected, as uterine RI (p=0.369) and PI (p=0.321) were not statistically different. Compared with the control group (non fibroid), women with fibroids >4cm had significantly higher endometrial VI (p=0.013), FI (p=0.004), and VFI (p<0.001), whereas women with fibroid ≤4cm had no statistically significant differences in VI (p=0.292), FI (p=0.198), and VFI (p=0.304). Intramural fibroids >4cm significantly increase endometrial vascularity. This increase in blood flow may be a factor that affects the outcome of IVF.