LOW DOSE HCG IN PREVENTING OHSS IN HIGH-RISK WOMEN

Abstract

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome(OHSS) is a complication of fertility treatment, which uses pharmacological ovarian stimulation to increase the number of oocytes and therefore embryos available during assisted reproductive technology (ART).Severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is well known to be a rare but potentially fatal condition in anovulatory women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) when undergoing IVF. Low-dose stimulation is thus recommended,but it can still lead to ovarian hyperstimulation associated with high serum oestradiol concentrations by the time leading follicles reach maturity. Several methods have, therefore, been applied to prevent OHSS. First, risk assessment is made on the basis of the previous history of OHSS and the identification of women with PCO. Second, in treatment cycles a high concentration of oestradiol and three ultrasound parameters (i.e. high number of follicles, large ovarian volume, and high stromal vascularity) on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) are all predictive of increased risk of developing OHSS.