Position of the Tip of the Inner Catheter and Air Bubbles as Predictors of Pregnancy during ICSI Cycles

Abstract

recise placement of the tip of the ET catheter and, accordingly, the depth of ET was proven by several studies to have a significant impact on ET and IVF outcomes. The distance between air bubble (embryo) placement and the fundal endometrial surface has been studied for its impact, and was shown to be relevant to successful implantation and IVF outcome. The aim of the current study was to assess the relationship between pregnancy outcome and the position of the tip of the inner catheter and air bubble localization immediately after ET, 5minutes and 10 minutes after ET in IVF procedure. This prospective observational study was conducted at the Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital during the period between January 2015 and October 2016. A total of 94 women planned to undergo fresh ET within IVF/ICSI cycles were included. Women who had any reason that was known in priori, or encountered during ET, and known to adversely impact the success rate of implantation and pregnancy were excluded. These excluded women who had endometrial thickness < 8 mm, hydrosalpinx or intrauterine lesions e.g. P  Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations polyp or submucous myoma, and those who had difficult ET, or blood on the tip of the ET catheter. Only women who had fresh ET of embryos of grades 1 or 2 were included.