The choice of embryo transfer catheter affects embryo implantation after IVF

Objective: Comparison of two transfer catheters in an IVF program. Design: Prospective, randomized clinical study. Setting: A private tertiary care center for ART. Patient(s): 66 patients < 38 years of age undergoing IVF and/or ICSI. Intervention(s): Patients were randomly assigned to undergo ET using the To mcat catheter (n = 32) or the TDT catheter (n = 34) Main Outcome Measure(s): Primary outcome measures were implantation and pre gnancy rates. Secondary outcome measures were contamination with blood and/ or mucus on the tip of the catheter, cramping or patient discomfort, and ti me required to complete ET. Result(s): Use of the Tomcat catheter resulted in significantly higher impl antation (25.2% vs. 8.4%) and clinical pregnancy rates (47% vs. 14.7%) comp ared with the TDT catheter. All secondary outcome measures were similar for both catheters. Conclusion(s): The choice of ET catheter may affect the success of IVF-ET c ycles. Use of the Tomcat catheter compared with the TDT catheter seems to r esult in significantly better efficiency of the ET procedure and is more co st effective. (Fertil Steril (R) 2000;74:678-82 (C) 2000 by American Societ y for Reproductive Medicine.).