Comparing pregnancy rates following ovarian stimulation with follitropin-Δ to follitropin -α in routine IVF: A retrospective analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Follitropin-Δ, a new recombinant follicle stimulation hormone, uses a fixed daily dose producing a predictable ovarian response while using less gonadotropins compared to follitropin-α. We report clinical outcomes comparing each in the routine IVF setting and further compare qualified to disqualified subjects based on previous randomized controlled trial (RCT) inclusion criteria. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of all cycles performed by a single provider between January 2020 to January 2021. All IVF cycles without patient inclusion-exclusion criteria were considered for the analysis. Clinical outcomes in two groups (follitropin-Δ vs follitropin-α ± 75 IU human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) in expected poor responders) were compared. In addition, comparisons were made between qualified versus disqualified subgroups. RESULTS: No differences in baseline demographics, number of MII oocytes, fertilization/MII oocyte, percent of good quality embryos were noted. Compared to those using follitropin-α, follitropin-Δ resulted in lower daily (170 vs 211 IU/d, p = 0.002) and total Gn used (1739 vs 2194 IU, p = 0.003). Optimal range response (8-14 oocytes) (22/44 [50 %] vs 78/203 [38.6 %]; p = 0.10) and fresh (fCP) and cumulative clinical pregnancy (cCP) rates per transfer (29.5 % vs 24.1 % and 35 % vs 25.1 %, p = 0.08) were similar between groups. Based on previous RCTs, those who would have qualified compared to those who would have disqualified, patients using follitropin-Δ were just as likely to have an optimal oocyte response (qualified: 48 % vs disqualified: 57.1 %) and resulted in similar cCP (41.4 % vs 25 %, p-0.23). CONCLUSIONS: While follitropin-Δ requires less daily and total dosing compared to follitropin-α, optimal range of retrieved oocytes and clinical outcomes appear to be comparable. Using RCT inclusion criteria, similar findings were noted in those who would have qualified compared to disqualified patients.

Correlation of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) with Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Interventions.

Introduction Contrast-induced acute nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the setting of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is associated with adverse outcomes, including longer hospitalization and short and long-term mortality. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are inflammatory markers that have been validated separately in prior studies as a predictor of CIN in patients with ACS who undergo a left heart catheterization. Our study aims to further investigate the role of NLR and PLR together as markers for predicting CIN in patients with ACS.  Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on a total of 1,577 patients aged 18 - 90 who presented with ACS and underwent PCI between January 2011 to December 2015 at the Florida Hospital Orlando. Cut-off values used for a high PLR and NLR were PLR > 128 and NLR > 2.6. CIN was defined as an increased serum creatinine level by ≥ 0.5 mg/dL, or ≥ 25%, over the baseline value within 72 hours after contrast agent administration. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were excluded.  Results Of the 1,577 patients included in the study, 213 (13.51%) patients had CIN. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, high NLR showed an independent association with an elevated risk of CIN (OR 2.03, 95% CI: 1.403 - 3.176, P < 0.001). High PLR did not correlate with CIN (OR 0.831, 95% CI: 0.569 - 1.214, P = 0.339).  Conclusion Elevated NLR is an independent predictor of CIN in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and may be used to improve on current risk prediction models.

Robotic single-site endometriosis resection using near-infrared fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green: a prospective case series and review of literature.

We present our preliminary experience comparing robotic near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging using indocyanine green (ICG) to 2D laparoscopic white light (WL) and 3D robotic WL illumination, in their ability to visually detect endometriosis lesions during a robotic endometriosis resection procedure in a single center. A total of twenty women were screened and seven of them with symptomatic endometriosis were included in this prospective case series. The mean patient age was 33 years with the mean body mass index being 28.6 kg/m2. The NIRF-ICG imaging technique enabled visualization of a statistically significant higher number of lesions compared to that of robotic and laparoscopic WL (13.4 vs 7.4 vs 4.7, p = 0.012). In addition, we explored the extent of quality of life (QoL) measures of these women affected by endometriosis using the validated QoL RAND Short Form Health Survey questionnaire and Numeric Pain Rating Scale. The largest reduction of quality of life was measured for the domains of social functioning (3.28 SD, 95% CI 45.7-61.5, p = 0.0001), physical limitations (3.04 SD, 95% CI 15.1-44.3, p = 0.0002), and physical functioning (3.02 SD, 95% CI 48.7-64.1, p = 0.0002), respectively. There was a significant reduction in the postoperative mean pain score as indicated by the pain rating of 0.57 ± 0.78 (p = 0.0005). We also performed a literature search to review other cases that describe the potential benefits of robotic NIRF-ICG imaging in the visual detection of peritoneal and deep endometriosis. Our study results demonstrate that the ICG fluorescence system may potentially be useful for more complete intraoperative endometriosis lesion detection and excision. Large multicenter trials with larger sample sizes and across surgeons of differing experience levels are needed to investigate the clinical utility, reproducibility and long-term outcomes of the use of this technology for patients with debilitating endometriosis.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopy in reproductive surgery: a contemporary review.

Robotic surgery is a conceptual fusion of the conventional open surgery and the minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. We reviewed the current role of robotic-assisted laparoscopy in the field of reproductive surgery by a literature search in PubMed database. We analyzed the reported advantages and limitations of the use of robotics in reproductive surgeries like myomectomy, tubal reanastomosis, endometriosis, ovarian tissue cryopreservation, and ovarian transposition. Overall, robotic assistance in reproductive surgery resulted in decreased blood loss, less post-operative pain, shorter hospital stay, and faster convalescence, whereas reproductive outcomes were similar to open/laparoscopic approaches. The main drawbacks of robotic surgery were higher cost and longer operating times. It is as safe and effective as the conventional laparoscopy and represents a reasonable alternate to abdominal approach. Procedures that are technically challenging with the conventional laparoscopy can be performed with robotic assistance. It has advantages of improved visualization and Endowrist™ movements allowing precise suturing. This helps to overcome the limitations of laparoscopy, especially in complicated procedures, and may shorten the steep learning curve in minimal invasive surgery. Randomized controlled trials looking at both short- and long-term outcomes are warranted to strengthen the role of robotic surgery in the field of reproductive surgery.