Using 3D/4D ultrasound to guide embryo transfer during in vitro fertilization (IVF) significantly reduces a woman's risk of ectopic pregnancy and associated complications, according to research from 3D Sonography Center of Beverly Hills, CA.
In a study of 5,073 women that was presented at the 2010 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) meeting in Rome, medical director Robert Gergely, MD, said that the pregnancy rate at the IVF center rose 10% following adoption of the technique.
In contrast to 2D ultrasound, 3D/4D ultrasound-guided embryo transfer allows for pinpointing the maximal implantation potential (MIP) point -- the exact spot within the uterus where infertility specialists can place an embryo with the greatest chance of successful implantation, according to Gergely.
In other study findings, the ectopic pregnancy rate per embryo transfer declined from 1.82% using 2D ultrasound guidance to 0.5% after adopting 3D/4D ultrasound to target the MIP point, he said. This 73.1% decrease was statistically significant.
Related Reading
Early cardiac activity predicts good IVF outcome, December 23, 2008
Ultrasound helps predict in vitro fertilization success rate, April 4, 2007
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