An analysis of the impact of embryo transfer difficulty on live birth rates, using a standardised grading system

References

• Alvero, R., Hearns-Stokes, R., Catherino, W., Leondires, M., & Segars, J. (2003). The presence of blood in the transfer catheter negatively influences outcome at embryo transfer. Human Reproduction, 18, 1848–1852.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM); Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Registry (SARTR). (2002). Assisted reproductive technology in the United States: 1999 results generated from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine/Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Registry. Fertility and Sterility, 78, 918–931.
   Google Scholar
• Azem, F., Yaron, Y., Botchan, A., Amit, A., Yovel, I., David, M., et al. (1993). Ectopic pregnancy after in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET): the possible role of the ET technique. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 10, 302–304.
   Google Scholar
• Burke, L., Davenport, A., Russell, G., & Deaton, J. (2000). Predictors of success after embryo transfer: experience from a single provider. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 182, 1001–1004.
   Google Scholar
• De Placido, G., Wilding, M., Strina, I., Mollo, A., Alviggi, E., Tolino, A., et al. (2002). The effect of ease of transfer and type of catheter used on pregnancy and implantation rates in an IVF program. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 19, 14–18.
   Google Scholar
• Dubisson, J., Aubriot, F., Mathieu, L., Foulot, H., Mandelbrot, L., & De Joliniere, J. (1991). Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy in 566 pregnancies after in-vitro fertilization: implications for preventive management. Fertility and Sterility, 56, 686–689.
   Google Scholar
• Drakeley, A., Jorgensen, A., Sklavounos, J., Aust, T., Gazvani, R., Williamson, P., & Kingsland, C. (2008). A randomized controlled clinical trial of 2295 ultrasound-guided embryo transfers. Human Reproduction, 23, 1101–1106.
   Google Scholar
• Hearns-Stokes, R., Miller, B., Scott, L., Creuss, D., Chakraborty, P., & Segars, J. (2000). Pregnancy rates after embryo transfer depend on the provider at embryo transfer. Fertility and sterility, 74, 80–86.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lass, A., Abusheikha, N., & Brinsden, P. (1999). The effect of a difficult embryo transfer on the outcome of IVF. Human Reproduction, 14, 2417–2420.
   Google Scholar
• Lesny, P., Killick, S., Robinson, J., & Maguiness, S. (1999). Transcervical embryo transfer as a risk factor for ectopic pregnancy. Fertility and Sterility, 72, 305–309.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Marcus, S. & Brinsden, P. (1995). Analysis of the incidence and risk factors associated with ectopic pregnancy following in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Human Reproduction, 10, 199–203.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Marikinti, K. & Brinsden, P. (2005). The presence of blood in the transfer catheter negatively influences outcome at embryo transfer. Human Reproduction, 20, 2029–2030.
   Google Scholar
• McIlveen, M., Lok, F., Pritchard, J., & Lashen, H. (2005). Modern embryo transfer catheters and pregnancy outcome: a prospective randomized trial. Fertility and Sterility, 84, 996–1000.
   Google Scholar
• Morragiani, V., Cohen, J., Smith, S., Schinfeld, J., Somkuti, S., Lee, A., & Barmat, L. (2010). Effect of macroscopic or microscopic blood and mucus on the success rates of embryo transfers. Fertility and Sterility, 93, 570–573.
   Google Scholar
• Prapas, N., Prapas, Y., Panagiotidis, Y., Prapa, S., Vanderzwalmen, P., & Makedos, G. (2004). Cervical dilatation has a positive impact on the outcome of IVF in randomly assigned cases having two previous difficult embryo transfers. Human Reproduction, 19, 1791–1795.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Saldeen, P., Abou-Setta, A., Bergh, T., Sundstrom, P., & Holte, J. (2008). A prospective randomized controlled trial comparing two embryo transfer catheters in an ART program. Fertility and Sterility, 90, 599–603.
   Google Scholar
• Sallam, H., Agameya, A., Rahman, A., Ezzeldin, F., & Sallan, A. (2003). Impact of technical difficulties, choice of catheter, and the presence of blood on the success of embryo transfer–experience from a single provider. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 20, 135–142.
   Google Scholar
• Schoolcraft, W., Surrey, E., & Gardner, D. (2001). Embryo transfer: techniques and variables affecting success. Fertility and Sterility, 76, 863–870.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Stafford-Bell, M. (1999). Which factors are important for successful embryo transfer after in-vitro fertilization?Human Reproduction, 14, 2678–2679.
   Google Scholar
• Tomas, C., Tikkinen, K., Tuomivaara, L., Tapanainen, J., & Martikainen, H. (2002). The degree of difficulty of embryo transfer is an independent factor for predicting pregnancy. Human Reproduction, 17, 2632–2635.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Tur-Kaspa, I., Yuval, Y., Bider, D., Levron, J., Shulman, A., & Dor, J. (1998). Difficult or repeated sequential embryo transfers do not adversely affect in-vitro fertilization pregnancy rates or outcome. Human Reproduction, 13, 2452–2455.
   Google Scholar
• Wang, Y., Macaldowie, A., Hayward, I., Chambers, G., & Sullivan, E. (2011). Assisted reproductive technology in Australian and New Zealand 2009. Assisted reproduction technology series no. 15. AIHW, Canberra.
   Google Scholar
• Wood, E., Batzer, F., Go, K., Gutmann, J., & Corson, S. (2000). Ultrasound-guided soft catheter embryo transfers will improve pregnancy rates in in-vitro fertilization. Human Reproduction, 15, 107–112.
   Google Scholar
• Zouves, C., Erenus, M., & Gomel, V. (1991). Tubal ectopic pregnancy after in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer: a role for proximal occlusion or salpingectomy after failed distal tubal surgery. Fertility and Sterility, 56, 691–695.
   Google Scholar