Effect of endometrial preparation protocols on the risk of ectopic pregnancy for frozen embryo transfer

Studies have consistently reported a significantly reduced incidence of ectopic pregnancy (EP) for frozen-thawed embryo transfer (ET) cycles compared with fresh cycles. However, only a few studies reported an association between endometrial preparation protocols on EP and results were conflicting. A registry-based retrospective cohort study of 153,354 clinical pregnancies following frozen single ETs between 2014 and 2017 were conducted, of which 792 cases of EP (0.52%) were reported. Blastocyst embryo transfers accounted for 87% of the total sample and were significantly associated with a decreased risk for EP compared with early cleavage ET (0.90% vs. 0.46%, adjusted OR = 0.50, 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.60). Compared with natural cycles, hormone replacement cycles (HRC) demonstrated a similar risk for EP (0.53% vs. 0.47%, adjusted OR = 1.12, 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.42). Subgroup analysis with or without tubal factor infertility and early cleavage/blastocyst ETs demonstrated similar non-significant associations. Endometrial preparation protocols using clomiphene (CC) were associated with a significantly increased risk for EP (1.12%, adjusted OR = 2.34; 95% CI, 1.38 to 3.98). These findings suggest that HRC and natural cycles had a similar risk for EP. Endometrial preparation using CC was associated with an increased risk of EP in frozen embryo transfer cycles.

Automated summary

The study showed that frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles have a lower incidence of ectopic pregnancy compared to fresh cycles. Blastocyst embryo transfers were associated with a decreased risk of ectopic pregnancy, while hormone replacement cycles showed a similar risk as natural cycles. Endometrial preparation protocols using clomiphene were significantly associated with an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy in frozen embryo transfer cycles.