Fetal Cardiac Activity (FCA) and Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) at 4 Weeks Following In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Predict Successful Completion of the First Trimester of Pregnancy

Abstract

ObjectiveFCA and FHR, detectable as early as 6 weeks of pregnancy, are predictive of ultimate pregnancy outcome (J Reprod Med 38: 804, 1993; Int J Fert 35: 75, 1990; J Ultrasound Med 14: 431, 1995). We reviewed 30 recent weeks of pregnancies following assisted reproduction to determine if FCA / FHR 4 weeks after IVF predict completion of the first trimester.DesignA retrospective analysis of 29 frozen thawed embryo transfers (FTET) and 139 fresh IVF cycles conducted at University Reproductive Associates between August 2004 and February 2005.Materials and methodsMedical records of all IVF and FTET cycles performed between August 1, 2004 and February 28, 2005 were reviewed. Patients with a history of repeated miscarriages were excluded. Clinical pregnancy, the presence of a gestational sac, was confirmed with transvaginal ultrasound performed 4 weeks after oocyte retrieval. Presence/ absence of FCA was noted and FHR was documented when possible using M mode. Pregnancies were followed until the end of the first trimester. Multiple gestations were included and each sac was counted individually. Ratios were compared using Chi-square.ResultsTabled 1Tabled 1Tabled 1Of the 47 patients with a singleton gestation who had documented FCA 4 weeks following IVF, only one patient miscarried. All patients with any documented FHR completed the first trimester.ConclusionsFCA 4 weeks after IVF is associated with successful completion of the first trimester of pregnancy. Contrary to the previously published data any FHR predicts a good outcome, even FHR < 100 beats/min. ObjectiveFCA and FHR, detectable as early as 6 weeks of pregnancy, are predictive of ultimate pregnancy outcome (J Reprod Med 38: 804, 1993; Int J Fert 35: 75, 1990; J Ultrasound Med 14: 431, 1995). We reviewed 30 recent weeks of pregnancies following assisted reproduction to determine if FCA / FHR 4 weeks after IVF predict completion of the first trimester. FCA and FHR, detectable as early as 6 weeks of pregnancy, are predictive of ultimate pregnancy outcome (J Reprod Med 38: 804, 1993; Int J Fert 35: 75, 1990; J Ultrasound Med 14: 431, 1995). We reviewed 30 recent weeks of pregnancies following assisted reproduction to determine if FCA / FHR 4 weeks after IVF predict completion of the first trimester. DesignA retrospective analysis of 29 frozen thawed embryo transfers (FTET) and 139 fresh IVF cycles conducted at University Reproductive Associates between August 2004 and February 2005. A retrospective analysis of 29 frozen thawed embryo transfers (FTET) and 139 fresh IVF cycles conducted at University Reproductive Associates between August 2004 and February 2005. Materials and methodsMedical records of all IVF and FTET cycles performed between August 1, 2004 and February 28, 2005 were reviewed. Patients with a history of repeated miscarriages were excluded. Clinical pregnancy, the presence of a gestational sac, was confirmed with transvaginal ultrasound performed 4 weeks after oocyte retrieval. Presence/ absence of FCA was noted and FHR was documented when possible using M mode. Pregnancies were followed until the end of the first trimester. Multiple gestations were included and each sac was counted individually. Ratios were compared using Chi-square. Medical records of all IVF and FTET cycles performed between August 1, 2004 and February 28, 2005 were reviewed. Patients with a history of repeated miscarriages were excluded. Clinical pregnancy, the presence of a gestational sac, was confirmed with transvaginal ultrasound performed 4 weeks after oocyte retrieval. Presence/ absence of FCA was noted and FHR was documented when possible using M mode. Pregnancies were followed until the end of the first trimester. Multiple gestations were included and each sac was counted individually. Ratios were compared using Chi-square. ResultsTabled 1Tabled 1Tabled 1Of the 47 patients with a singleton gestation who had documented FCA 4 weeks following IVF, only one patient miscarried. All patients with any documented FHR completed the first trimester. Of the 47 patients with a singleton gestation who had documented FCA 4 weeks following IVF, only one patient miscarried. All patients with any documented FHR completed the first trimester. ConclusionsFCA 4 weeks after IVF is associated with successful completion of the first trimester of pregnancy. Contrary to the previously published data any FHR predicts a good outcome, even FHR < 100 beats/min. FCA 4 weeks after IVF is associated with successful completion of the first trimester of pregnancy. Contrary to the previously published data any FHR predicts a good outcome, even FHR < 100 beats/min.