Colour Doppler indices of follicular blood flow as predictors of pregnancyafter in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

Peak systolic velocity (PSV) of individual follicles has been correlated wi th oocyte recovery, fertilization rate and embryo quality [in women undergo ing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer]. The present study as sessed the role of quantitative and qualitative indices of follicular vascu larity in predicting pregnancy after IVF and embryo transfer. A total of 10 6 women undergoing IVF treatment for infertility who were considered to be at risk of failure (>37 years of age, history of low response to gonadotrop hin stimulation, or multiple failed IVF cycles) constituted the study group . PSV was measured from the three largest follicles on both the right and l eft ovaries on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administratio n using an Acuson Sequoia with a 4-8 MHz transvaginal probe, The quality of follicular flow was graded from 1 to 4 according to the amount of visible colour flow around the follicle (grade 1 when one-quarter of the follicle, grade 2 when one-half, grade 3 when three-quarters, and grade 4 when the en tire follicle was surrounded by colour). Clinical pregnancies resulted in 1 1 (10%) of the 106 highrisk women, Women who had PSV greater than or equal to 10 cm/s in at least one follicle on the day of HCG administration more o ften became pregnant than those with PSV <10 cm/s (P 0.05). All pregnancies occurred in women with grade 3 or 4 follicular blood how Qualitative as we ll as quantitative measurements of follicular flow predict pregnancy after IVF and embryo transfer.