Treatment safety of ART cycles with extremely high oestradiol concentrations using GnRH agonist trigger

Research question: Are IVF treatments with extremely high peak oestradiol levels and gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist trigger associated with higher complication rates? Design: A retrospective cohort study including patients from two large medical centres treated between 2019 and 2021. A study group with extremely high peak oestradiol levels (>= 20,000 pmol/l on the day of ovarian stimulation, or >= 15,000 pmol/l on the previous day) and a control group with normal range oestradiol levels (3000-12000 pmol/l) that received GnRH agonist triggering. Patients were surveyed about complaints and medical care related to ovum retrieval and medical files were reviewed. Major complication rates and the need for medical assistance were compared. Results: Several differences between the study and control group were observed because of thestudy design: mean age was 33.01 +/- 5.14 versus 34.57 +/- 4.52 (P < 0.001), mean peak oestradiol levels was 26645.34 +/- 8592.57 pmol/l versus 7229.75 +/- 2329.20 pmol/l (P < 0.001), and mean number of oocytes were 27.55 +/- 13.46 versus 11.67 +/- 5.76 (P < 0.001) for the study and control group, respectively. Major complications and hospitalization rates were similar between the study and control groups (three [1.25%] versus one [0.4 8%]; P = 0.62 and three [1.25%] versus two [0.96%]; P = 1.0, respectively). Thirty-six patients (15.1%) in the study group and 11 (5.3%) in the control group sought medical care after retrieval, mostly due to abdominal pain, without the need for further workup or hospitalization (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Extremely high oestradiol levels were not associated with thromboembolic events, higher major complication or hospitalization rates, and therefore may be considered safe. Nevertheless, patients may be informed of possible higher rates of discomfort, mostly abdominal pain. Larger studies are warranted to confirm our results.

Automated summary

This retrospective cohort study found no significant association between extremely high oestradiol levels and complications in IVF treatments. The study group had higher average peak oestradiol levels, age, and number of oocytes compared to the control group, but there were no significant differences in major complications and hospitalization rates. Some patients may experience discomfort, particularly abdominal pain, after retrieval.