Impact of color Doppler assessment and interventions on the outcome of frozen-embryo transfer in infertile women

Abstract

Context: A good blood supply is essential for endometrial receptivity which in turn impacts the outcome of frozen-embryo transfers (FETs) in infertile women. With the advent of Doppler ultrasound, studying endometrial blood flow has emerged as an important means of evaluating endometrial receptivity. Aim: This study was undertaken to assess the usefulness of color Doppler as a marker of predictor of outcome in FET cycles. Settings and Design: This was a retrospective study conducted at the Southend Fertility and IVF Centre on all women who underwent FET cycle as part of the infertility management at the center. Materials and Methods: A total of 400 women were recruited in the study with 200 in case group (Group A) and 200 in control group (Group B). Statistical analysis: Statistical analysis was carried out using data analysis software system, SPSS V27 and Microsoft excel. Results: In Group A, 70 (35%) women became pregnant and 130 (65%) did not conceive. On the other hand, in Group B, 55 (28%) women became pregnant, and 145 (72%) did not conceive. Conclusion: Endometrial and subendometrial vascularity as measured by color Doppler is a useful predictor for pregnancy in FET cycles. However, there is still no larger consensus as to whether measurement of endometrial and subendometrial blood flow using color Doppler is useful and whether it plays any role in predicting of the pregnancy cycle outcome. Further large randomized trials are required to reach to definite conclusion on this topic.