The usefulness of endometrial thickness, morphology and vasculature by 2D Doppler ultrasound in prediction of pregnancy in IVF/ICSI cycles

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of endometrial thickness, morphology and vasculature using two-dimensional (2D) Doppler ultrasound on the IVF/ICSI cycle outcome. Subjects and methodsEndometrial thickness, morphology and subendometrial blood flow were assessed using transvaginal ultrasound on the day of hCG in 100 patients undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment in the period between June 2013 and January 2015. Statistical analysis was done. ResultsThere was no difference in the demographic features or details of ovarian stimulation between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Overall, 40 patients conceived; 23 (57.5%) of them had blood flow in zone III and 15 (37.5%) in zone II. All patients achieved pregnancy had endometrial thickness >8mm. Using the ROC curve, the cutoff endometrial thickness for non-achieving pregnancy was 7mm with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. There was no significant difference in Doppler indices between pregnant and non-pregnant women. ConclusionWhen the endometrial thickness is <8mm, and if there are non-triple endometrial line and non-favorable blood flow zone on day of hCG in IVF/ICSI cycles, pregnancy is unlikely and embryo transfer should be canceled with freezing of all embryos for future transfer to increase the success rate.